Systems, methods, and devices for dynamic used vehicle marketing, dealer matching, and extended sale period transactions platform

ABSTRACT

The disclosure herein provides methods, systems, and devices for marketing and selling used vehicles during an extended sale period and dynamically matching used vehicle dealers to used vehicle transactions. A used vehicle marketing and sales platform allows vehicles to be marketed and sold through a dynamic user interface before its date of availability and/or before auction using a dynamic price listing generation system. The used vehicle marketing and sales platform also matches used vehicle dealers to complete transactions through a dealer matching system in order to provide a physical location for delivery of a used vehicle and to provide fulfillment of the transaction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/196,482, filed Nov. 20, 2018, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/137,104, filed Sep. 20, 2018 andissued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,438,256 on Oct. 8, 2019, titled “SYSTEMS,METHODS, AND DEVICES FOR DYNAMIC USED VEHICLE MARKETING, DEALERMATCHING, AND EXTENDED SALE PERIOD TRANSACTIONS PLATFORM,” which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/979,094, filed May14, 2018 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,127,591 on Nov. 13, 2018, titled“SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES FOR DYNAMIC USED VEHICLE MARKETING,DEALER MATCHING, AND EXTENDED SALE PERIOD TRANSACTIONS PLATFORM,” whichclaims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(c) to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/506,071, filed May 15, 2017, titled “SYSTEM FORMARKETING USED VEHICLES,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/561,041, filed Sep. 20, 2017, titled “SYSTEM FOR POTENTIAL BUYERS OFUSED VEHICLES TO AUTOMATICALLY SEARCH THE WHOLESALE MARKET INVENTORY OFPARTICIPATING COUNTER PARTIES AND AUTOMATICALLY CREATE A VIRTUAL GARAGEFOR THEIR REVIEW TO PURCHASE,” and to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/561,074 filed Sep. 20, 2017, titled “SYSTEM TO MATCHA RETAIL USED VEHICLE BUYER TO AVAILABLE WHOLESALE INVENTORY THAT ISTHEN ASSIGNED TO A PARTICIPATING DEALER FOR FULFILLMENT COMPLETION,” theentirety of each of the foregoing applications is hereby incorporatedherein by reference under 37 CFR 1.57.

BACKGROUND Field

The embodiments of the disclosure generally relate to used vehiclemarketing and transactions, and more particularly to systems, devices,and methods for marketing and selling used vehicles during an extendedsale period and dynamically matching used vehicle dealers to usedvehicle transactions.

Description

The current used vehicle marketing and sales systems involve disparateand unified actors and data sources such that the systems requiresuperfluous computer system resources, costs, and time to implement.Thus, a more efficient system for marketing and selling used vehicles isnecessary.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments described herein relate to systems, methods, anddevices for marketing and selling used vehicles during an extended saleperiod and dynamically matching used vehicle dealers to used vehicletransactions.

For purposes of this summary, certain aspects, advantages, and novelfeatures of the invention are described herein. It is to be understoodthat not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordancewith any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example,those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may beembodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or groupof advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving otheradvantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

In some embodiment, an algorithmic-based system for electronictransmission of a dynamically generated notification configured toconnect a used vehicle transaction with dealers during a vehicleextended sale period, the algorithmic-based system comprises one or moredealer databases configured to store a plurality of dealer profiles, theplurality of dealer profiles comprising desired transaction criteria foreach of a plurality of dealers; a dynamic dealer match engine configuredto generate dealer match scores to localize, from one or more dealerdatabases, one or more dealers for participation in a used vehicletransaction; one or more computer readable storage devices configured tostore a plurality of computer executable instructions; and one or morehardware computer processors in communication with the one or morecomputer readable storage devices and configured to execute theplurality of computer executable instructions in order to cause thealgorithmic-based system to: generate a dealer match score for each ofthe plurality of dealers, wherein the dealer match score comprises ameasure of dealer compatibility with a transaction, wherein the dealermatch score is calculated by processing a plurality of transactionelements and performing a comparative analysis between the plurality oftransaction elements and the desired transaction criteria for each ofthe plurality of dealers, wherein the comparative analysis comprises oneor more of: accessing the transaction criteria from the one or moredealer databases; analyzing, based on a used vehicle transaction price,whether the used vehicle transaction will produce a dealer qualifyingmargin, wherein the dealer qualifying margin comprises a minimum salesmargin amount that a dealer will require to participate in the usedvehicle transaction; accessing, from one or more historical financingdatabases, historical purchase financing data to determine theprobability that the used vehicle transaction will require financing bythe one or more dealers; dynamically determining the acceptable level offinancing required by the one or more dealers; processing a subsidiaryused vehicle trade-in transaction, the processing comprising dynamicallydetermining whether the subsidiary used vehicle trade-in transactionwill alter the used vehicle transaction price; assessing, from theplurality of transaction elements, the probability that an extendedservice plan will be included in the transaction; determining if theprobability that an extended service plan will be included in the usedvehicle transaction meets a minimum service plan probability thresholdrequired by the one or more dealers; evaluating whether a subjectvehicle of the used vehicle transaction constitutes an acceptable typeprerequisite for the one or more dealers; filter the plurality ofdealers based on the generated dealer match score for each of theplurality of dealers to identify a first set of dealers having agenerated dealer match score above a predetermined threshold level;transmit electronically a dynamically generated computer notification tothe first set of dealers, the dynamically generated computernotification configured to activate a remote subscriber computer and toenable connection via a URL over a computer network connection to a datasource comprising data about the used vehicle transaction; and receive,over the computer network connection, an electronic confirmation from afirst dealer in the first set of dealers, wherein the electronicconfirmation activates access to data for completing the used vehicletransaction, wherein the data is accessible only by the first dealer toactivate the electronic confirmation through the computer networkconnection.

In some embodiment, a system for facilitating a sale of a used vehicleto a prospective purchaser before the vehicle becomes available, thesystem comprises one or more price databases configured to storehistorical and/or current market pricing data corresponding to aplurality of completed and/or current used vehicle listings; one or morevehicle profile databases configured to store a plurality of vehicleprofiles corresponding to a plurality of vehicles that will becomeavailable upon arrival of an availability date, wherein the availabilitydate is temporally remote from a present date; one or more purchaserprofile databases configured to store a plurality of purchaser profiledata, the purchaser profile data comprising one or more of financial,desired vehicle identification, and contact information corresponding toa plurality of prospective purchasers; a vehicle listing price engineconfigured to dynamically determine a plurality of unique listingprices, each unique listing price of the plurality of listing pricescorresponding to each of the plurality of prospective purchasers foreach of the plurality of vehicles; a dynamic user interface configuredto display updated market and pricing information; one or more computerreadable storage devices configured to store a plurality of computerexecutable instructions; and one or more hardware computer processors incommunication with the one or more computer readable storage devices andconfigured to execute the plurality of computer executable instructionsin order to cause the system to: determine a minimum listing price for atarget used vehicle based on a consignor sale price, wherein theconsignor sale price is obtained from one or more consignor used vehicledatabases; determine dynamically a market price for the target usedvehicle, wherein determining the market price comprises analyzing thecompleted transaction data for one or more of the plurality of completedused vehicle transactions for vehicles having analogous characteristicsto the target used vehicle; calculate dynamically, by the vehiclelisting price engine, a unique listing price for a prospectivepurchaser, wherein the calculation comprises: analyzing purchaserprofile data to determine lower and upper threshold pricing levels forthe prospective purchaser; comparing the present date with theavailability date; based on the comparison of the present date with theavailability date, setting the unique listing price above the minimumlisting price and below the market price; and wherein the differencebetween the unique listing price and the minimum listing price is lowerwhen the present date is relatively temporally remote from theavailability date, and the difference between the unique listing priceand the minimum listing price is raised incrementally as the currentdate approaches the availability date; and transmit electronically, adynamically generated computer notification, the dynamically generatedcomputer notification displayed through the dynamic user interface, tothe prospective purchaser, wherein the dynamically generated computernotification is configured to activate a remote subscriber computer andto enable connection via a URL over a computer network connection to adata source comprising data about the unique listing price; and receive,over the computer network connection, an electronic confirmation fromthe prospective purchaser, wherein the electronic confirmation activatesaccess to data for purchasing the target used vehicle, wherein the datais accessible only by the prospective purchaser.

In some embodiment, a system for facilitating a sale of a used vehicleto a prospective purchaser, the system comprises a dynamic userinterface configured to display updated market and transactioninformation; one or more computer readable storage devices configured tostore a plurality of computer executable instructions; and one or morehardware computer processors in communication with the one or morecomputer readable storage devices and configured to execute theplurality of computer executable instructions in order to cause thesystem to: receive, from the prospective purchaser, search parametersfor a target vehicle; access, by performing a search engine query acrossone or more consignor vehicle inventory databases based on the receivedsearch parameters, a plurality of used vehicle data entries; identify,using the search parameters inputted by the prospective purchaser, amongthe plurality of used vehicle data entries one or more similar usedvehicles corresponding to the target vehicle; determine dynamically alisting price for each of the one or more similar used vehicles; assign,using one or more used vehicle ranking techniques, a relative ranking ofeach of the one or more similar used vehicles; generate, based on therelative ranking, a first subset of the one or more similar usedvehicles; display, to the prospective purchaser through the dynamic userinterface, the first subset of the one or more similar used vehicles;receive, from the prospective purchaser through a feedback mechanism, apurchaser assessment of one or more of the similar used vehicles fromthe first subset; generate, based on the relative ranking and thepurchaser assessment of each of the similar used vehicles from the firstsubset, a second subset of the one or more similar used vehicles;display, to the prospective purchaser through the dynamic userinterface, the second subset of the one or more similar used vehicles;receive, from the prospective purchaser, a manifestation of intent topurchase a designated used vehicle from the second subset; prompt theprospective purchaser, through the dynamic user interface, to selecttransaction terms from a plurality of available purchase selectionsgenerated by the system and/or third-party services; identify, based onthe determined listing price and the selected transaction terms, one ormore compatible dealers; prompt the user to select a dealer from the oneor more compatible dealers; and schedule delivery of the designated usedvehicle to the selected dealer.

In some embodiment, the displaying of the first subset or the secondsubset through the dynamic user interface comprises: presenting each ofthe one or more similar used vehicles alongside the correspondingdetermined listing price; obtaining, from one or more used vehiclemarketplace databases, one or more alternative used car listings foreach of the one or more similar used vehicles from the first subset orthe second subset; presenting, adjacent to the one or more similar usedvehicles and the corresponding determined listing price, the one or morealternative used car listings.

In some embodiment, the used vehicle is a car.

In some embodiment, the used vehicle is one of the following: car, boat,truck, aircraft, motorcycle, bicycle, bus, camper, personal water craft,limousine, locomotive, moped, scooter, rickshaw, sleigh, tank, tractor,and van.

In some embodiment, the search parameters comprise one or more of:vehicle make, vehicle model, exterior color, interior color, price, bodytype, mileage, location, age, date of availability, vehicle history,VIN, vehicle type, trim level, transmission type, engine type, fueltype, condition, and user rating.

In some embodiment, the vehicle ranking techniques comprise at least:obtaining, from the plurality of used vehicle data entries, a consignorprice for each of the one or more similar used vehicles; obtaining, froma plurality of used car pricing databases, an estimated market price foreach of the one or more similar used vehicles; generating, based on acomparison of the consignor price with the estimated market price, avalue rating for each of the one or more similar used vehicles.

In some embodiment, the vehicle ranking techniques further comprise:calculating an estimated transport cost for each of the one or moresimilar used vehicles based on a comparison of a current location ofeach of the one or more similar used vehicles and a user location; andadding the estimated transport cost to the consignor price.

In some embodiment, the feedback mechanism comprises a binary decisiontool, the binary decision tool displayed to the prospective purchaserfor activation.

In some embodiment, the purchaser assessment comprises a positive signalor a negative signal, triggered by activation of the binary decisiontool.

In some embodiment, the plurality of available purchase selectionscomprise supplementary features that can be added to the designated usedvehicle.

In some embodiment, the supplementary features comprise one or more ofthe following: extended service plans, extended warranties, tires,safety features, headlights, windshield wipers, headlight washers,headlight wipers, heated seats, heated side mirrors, heated steeringwheel, remote start, windshield wiper deicers, winter tires, powerseats, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, backupcameras, rear cross-traffic alerts, blind-spot monitoring, AppleCarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, 360-degree surround-viewcamera systems, heads-up displays, USB ports, voice control systems,dual-zone automatic climate control, automatic high beams, spare tires,keyless entry, gesture/character recognition, DVD players, built-innavigation, Wi-Fi system, lane-keeping assistance system, hydrophobicwindows, built-in vacuums, zero-gravity seats, massage seats, trafficlight information systems, push button shifting, sunroof, night visionand radar detection systems, automatic parking systems, crash detectionsensors, autopilot features, autonomous vehicle systems, adjustableseats, HVAC, cruise control, four-wheel drive, tow hitches, automatictransmission, leather seats, and other computer applications or carimprovements.

In some embodiment, the connecting the designated used vehicletransaction with one or more dealers comprises dynamically determiningwhether the selected transaction terms are compatible withdealer-selected transaction parameters.

In some embodiment, a method for displaying market information relatingto and facilitating the sale of used vehicles, each of the used vehicleshaving an exchange listing and one or more alternative listings, themethod comprises dynamically displaying a first exchange listing for afirst used vehicle, the first exchange listing being displayed in one ofa plurality of locations in a first purchase selection region;dynamically displaying one or more first alternative listings for thefirst used vehicle, the one or more first alternative listings beingdisplayed in another one of the plurality of locations in the firstpurchase selection region; displaying a feedback mechanism configured toallow a user to indicate positive or negative feedback on the quality ofthe first exchange listing; in response to an indication of negativefeedback, removing from the display the first exchange listing and theone or more first alternative listings and dynamically displaying asecond exchange listing for a second vehicle and one or more secondalternative listings for the second vehicle, the second exchange listingbeing displayed in one of a plurality of locations in a second purchaseselection region and the one or more second alternative listings beingdisplayed in another one of the plurality of locations in the secondpurchase selection region; and in response to an indication of positivefeedback, generating one or more additional exchange listings andalternative listings with similar listing characteristics to the firstexchange listing; wherein the one or more first alternative listings andone or more second alternative listings are obtained from one or morethird-party used vehicle marketplace databases.

In some embodiment, the system comprises dynamically displaying aconsumer expertise signal configured to illustrate a user's level ofknowledge based on the number of user activations of the feedbackmechanism, wherein the consumer expertise signal is updated upon eachactivation of the feedback mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features, aspects and advantages of the embodiments of theinventions are described in detail below with reference to the drawingsof various embodiments, which are intended to illustrate and not tolimit the inventions. The drawings comprise the following figures inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating example embodiments of used vehiclesales models;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example embodiment of atimeline for a used vehicle auction transaction;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an example embodiment of a dealermatching system for marketing and selling consignor vehicles to buyersand matching dealers to individual sales;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an example embodiment of a usedvehicle marketing and selling process of the dynamically updated usedvehicle marketing and sales platform disclosed herein;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating another example embodiment of a usedvehicle marketing and selling process of the dynamically updated usedvehicle marketing and sales platform disclosed herein;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating example embodiments of the ownershipflow used in the systems, methods, and devices disclosed herein;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an example embodiment of a dealermatching system of the dynamically updated used vehicle marketing andsales platform disclosed herein;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating another example embodiment of adealer matching system of the dynamically updated used vehicle marketingand sales platform disclosed herein;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating another example embodiment of adealer matching system of the dynamically updated used vehicle marketingand sales platform disclosed herein;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating another example embodiment of adealer matching system of the dynamically updated used vehicle marketingand sales platform disclosed herein;

FIG. 11 is a diagram of an example embodiment of a user interface for aused vehicle search of the dynamically updated used vehicle marketingand sales platform disclosed herein;

FIG. 12 is a diagram of an example embodiment of a user interface for aused vehicle search history of the dynamically updated used vehiclemarketing and sales platform disclosed herein;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example embodiment of a usedvehicle ranking system for use in the systems, methods, and devicesdisclosed herein;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating another example embodiment of a usedvehicle ranking system of the systems, methods, and devices disclosedherein;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating another example embodiment of a usedvehicle marketing and selling process of the dynamically updated usedvehicle marketing and sales platform disclosed herein;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example embodiment of a feedbacksystem of the dynamically updated used vehicle marketing and salesplatform disclosed herein;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example embodiment of a dynamicvehicle listing price system of the dynamically updated used vehiclemarketing and sales platform disclosed herein;

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating example embodiments of consumerexpertise indicators for the dynamically updated used vehicle marketingand sales platform disclosed herein;

FIG. 19 is a diagram of an example embodiment of a user interface fortransaction terms and dealer selection of the dynamically updated usedvehicle marketing and sales platform disclosed herein;

FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of acomputer system configured to run software for implementing one or moreembodiments of the used vehicle marketing and selling systems, methods,and devices disclosed herein;

FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of acomputer system configured to run software for implementing one or moreembodiments of the dealer matching systems, methods, and devicesdisclosed herein; and

FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of acomputer system configured to run software for implementing one or moreembodiments of the dynamic vehicle listing price determination systems,methods, and devices disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The systems, methods, and devices described herein involve a usedvehicle marketing and sales platform that may comprise a dynamicallygenerated user interface that enables graphical display of used vehiclepricing data as a function of time in a period leading up to thetermination of a “Pre-Gray” period and into a “Gray” Period. Theplatform may be enabled to interface with a plurality of disparatedatabases which store data having a plurality of incongruent datastructures. The platform may be configured to interface with these datastructures and conduct a normalization process to transform the datainto a single, unified data structure. The normalized data can bepresented to users through the dynamically generated user interface,which may be configured to automatically update its display based onnewly acquired data and/or user interaction with the platform.

The used vehicle marketing and sales platform may also comprise systemsfor calculating and generating a transaction more efficiently throughgeneration of interfaces for display of normalized data. These variousinterfaces may be distinctive to each user of a plurality of users, thedistinctiveness generated based on, for example, user information orsearch data gathered by the platform. The various interfaces may form anaggregate dynamic user interface for sharing dynamic pricing data duringa “Pre-Gray” period and a “Gray” period.

The used vehicle marketing and sales platform may also comprise systemsfor generating dynamic coordination of transactions with used vehicledealership systems. The platform may be configured to access andevaluate a plurality of dealership databases to dynamically matchcompleted transactions with compatible dealerships.

The used vehicle marketing and sales platform may also be configured totransmit electronically dynamically generated computer notifications,wherein the dynamically generated computer notifications can bedisplayed through the dynamic user interface to a user or other party,wherein the dynamically generated computer notification may beconfigured to activate a remote subscriber computer and to enableconnection via a URL over a computer network connection to a data sourcecomprising data directed to, for example, a unique listing price, avehicle transaction, a corresponding used vehicle dealership, or otherrelevant data. The used vehicle marketing and sales platform may befurther configured receive, over the computer network connection, anelectronic confirmation from the user or other party, wherein theelectronic confirmation activates access to data that facilitates a usedvehicle transaction, wherein the data is accessible only by the user orother party that sends the confirmation.

The systems, methods, and devices described herein may improve computersystem functionality in used vehicle marketing and sales systems byreducing wasted user system resources through elimination of the need toindependently access a plurality of distinct third-party databases. Theplatform can be configured to access and interface with disparate datasources having incongruent communications and network protocols. Theplatform can be configured to obtain and normalize data to be displayedin a standard format to users, the data displayed through a dynamicallygenerated user interface that is unique to each user. The systems,methods, and devices disclosed herein reduce processing power andnetwork resources by providing a central platform for used vehicletransactions.

Used vehicles purchased via dealership can be sold using one of the usedvehicle sales models 100 shown in FIG. 1.

In both the Legacy and Online Dealership models, used vehicles aresourced from vehicle suppliers, for example, consignors 102, 112, whoare generally large firms that purchase vehicles new, use them in theircourse of business (such as leasing, vehicle rental or management fleetvehicles, or the like), and then such vehicle suppliers typically sellthe car used when the vehicle is no longer needed. In some embodiments,these vehicles can be sent to a used vehicle auction or wholesalechannel 104, 114 where the vehicles can be sold to the highest bidder.In some embodiments, these vehicles may also be sold to dealers or otherparties directly or through some other transaction either by online oroffline systems, but the majority of vehicles proceed through the Legacymodel. In the Legacy model, the highest bidder may be a physicaldealership 106 that takes the vehicle to the dealership for sale to aretail buyer 108. In the Online Dealership model, the highest bidder maybe an Online Dealership 116, which can store the vehicle in a physicallot until an online buyer 118 purchases the car through the onlinedealership's website.

Both the Legacy and Online Dealership models have severe limitations.Between the vehicle source (for example, consignor) and the buyer, therecan exist a number of inefficiencies, time delays, and/or costs that canultimately get passed on to the buyer. For example, one or more vehicleinspections, one or more transportations to auction, one or moretransportations to vehicle dealers, one or more storage facilities, oneor more photography sessions, one or more auction fees, one or morere-conditioning events, one or more advertisements, one or morecommissions, and one or more property costs, all of which increase thefinal retail cost of a vehicle sold through methods illustrated in FIG.1.

Furthermore, the Legacy and Online Dealership used vehicle sales modelscan be unnecessarily time-consuming. In some embodiments, a typicaltransaction timeline 200 is illustrated in FIG. 2. The timeline 200begins in the “Pre-Gray” or pre-availability period 202. Thepre-availability period represents a period of consignor ownershipbefore the vehicle is available to be sold, generally through auction.Often, a consignor will know the exact date on which each of itsvehicles will become available. In some embodiments, however, aconsignor may be uncertain about when or if a certain vehicle willbecome available. For instance, if a certain vehicle is being leased andthe lessee has an option to extend the lease or purchase the vehicle,the consignor may not know if and when the vehicle will be availableuntil the option expires. The exact date of vehicle availability canalso be delayed for other reasons such as but not limited to lessee'sfailure or delay to return the vehicle, failure or delay of thedealership in entering the vehicle into the system, and the like.Putting aside such delays, consignors, even if they are certain of anavailability date 208, do not have a mechanism for marketing, selling,and/or removing vehicles from their balance sheets during the Pre-Grayor pre-availability period 202. Instead, vehicles may only undergo apre-inspection process 206 during the Pre-Gray or pre-availabilityperiod 202 in preparation for a later sale at auction.

In some embodiments, after the pre-availability period 202, there existsa “Gray” period 204, in which a vehicle may undergo a series ofprocesses, comprising an option period 210, a pre-auction period 212, anauction process 214, and a payment period 216. Each of these processes,and possibly additional processes, increases the time during which thevehicle is not available to retail buyers. For example, in the timeline200 of FIG. 2, the total unavailability time is around 40-50 days afterthe availability date 208. In some embodiments, the unavailability timeis can be about 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75,or more days. This unavailability time represents time in which thevehicle is unused and remains a financial burden for the consignorand/or other suppliers because for example consignors can be payinginterest payments on the assets, or capital is tied up in such assetsand cannot be deployed for other purchases, or the like. Even after theGray period, the vehicle still must be transported to a physicaldealership or physical lot, where it will consume valuable lot space anddealership resources, all of which can cost the consignor and/or thedealer additional costs. Another undefined period of time will passuntil the used vehicle is finally sold to a buyer.

Finally, the current models typically require substantial up-front andongoing dealership capital investment in order to acquire inventory fromauction and hold and market that inventory until final sale to buyers.

Consequently, the used vehicle sales mechanisms of FIG. 1 are deficient.More time, cost, and capital efficient systems, methods, and devices formarketing and selling used vehicles before, during, and after the Grayperiod is necessary. The systems, methods, and devices described hereincan provide a dynamically updated used vehicle marketing and salesplatform that extends the used vehicle sale period to a date before thedate of availability until the date the vehicle is sold at auction, andin some embodiments, after the auction date. In doing so, the usedvehicle marketing and sales platform may reduce the various costsassociated with the used vehicle sales models of FIG. 1, therebyincreasing profits for consignors and/or dealers, and/or accumulatingsavings for buyers. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the used vehiclemarketing and sales platform directly connects buyers with consignorinventory, eliminating intervening parties and/or processes to reducethe amount of time that vehicles are delayed from reaching consumers.

In some embodiments, the used vehicle marketing and sales platform isconfigured to generate a chained consignment agreement, wherein aconsignor provides vehicle inventory data to the platform and theplatform markets and sells the vehicles to buyers through a dynamic userinterface during an extended sale period including the Pre-Gray period,the Gray period, and/or a post-Gray period. In some embodiments, theplatform is further configured to match a vehicle sale or transactionwith a used vehicle dealer. In some embodiments, the dealer can serve asa fulfillment agent for the vehicle transaction.

Various embodiments of systems, methods, and devices for marketing andselling used vehicles during an extended sale period and dynamicallymatching used vehicle dealers to used vehicle transactions are disclosedherein. In contrast to the methods for marketing and selling usedvehicles shown in FIG. 1, used vehicle marketing and sales platformdescribed herein facilitates used vehicle transactions during thePre-Gray period and/or Gray period. The Pre-Gray period is the periodbefore the date a vehicle becomes available from a consignor or othersupplier, for example, before the vehicle lease ends or before a rentalcar agency retires the vehicle. The Gray period is the period startingat the date of availability and ending when the vehicle is sold throughauction. In other words, the systems, methods, and devices describedherein enable the marketing and selling of used vehicles directly tobuyers before the date of availability and/or between the date ofavailability and sale at auction. The methods of marketing and sellingused vehicles in FIG. 1 generally only provide retail buyers access tovehicles at physical or online dealerships after they have been soldthrough auction.

The systems, methods, and devices described herein have variousadvantages over the methods of FIG. 1, including, for example, reducedsale time, reduced costs for consignors, vehicle dealers, and buyers,reduced capital requirements, increased buyer access to vehicleinventory before auction, increased buyer convenience, and/orstreamlining of the transaction process. The used vehicle marketing andsales platform can expose buyers to consignor inventory before thevehicles become available and/or before they have been sold to aphysical or online dealership through auction. In addition to generatingbuyer demand for consignor inventory through a dynamic user interface,the systems, methods, and devices described herein restructure theentire used vehicle transaction process, from vehicle selection to finaldelivery.

In some embodiments, the used vehicle marketing and sales platformallows vehicles to be marketed and sold through a dynamic user interfacebefore its date of availability and/or before auction using a dynamicprice listing generation system. The dynamic price listing generationsystem can generate unique listing prices of used vehicles forindividual buyers based on, for example, data concerning the individualbuyers, comparison of the present date with a future availability dateand/or auction date, buyer location data, vehicle location data, uniqueattributes specific to the vehicle (for example, mileage, condition,prior accidents, prior number of owners), vehicle demand data, similarvehicle availability in the market, consignor data (for example,consignor motivation to remove assets from inventory and/or balancesheet, number of future vehicles to become available, consignorincentives, consignor costs, consignor desired vehicle sale price, andthe like) historical pricing data, historical sales data, historicaldealer data, historical auction data, and/or market pricing data. Insome embodiments, in order to incentivize buyers to purchase vehicles,the system can generate and display initial listing prices alongsidefuture incremental increases in the unique listing price as the presentdate approaches the availability or auction date. In some embodiments,the platform can be configured to display savings in, for example,amount or percentage, to an end buyer over a dynamically determinedmarket price for the vehicle. In some embodiments, the system may beconfigured to display alternative listings of similar vehicles from, forexample, third party websites. In some embodiments, the alternativelistings may include a price for the similar vehicles that is higherthan the vehicle listed on the platform. In some embodiments, theplatform can be configured to display savings on a vehicle in, forexample, amount or percentage, to an end buyer over an alternativelisting for a similar vehicle.

In some embodiments, the used vehicle marketing and sales platformcomprises a deal creation system that can be configured to control thepricing and/or terms generated and displayed to buyers and/orfacilitates the consummation of a used vehicle transaction. In someembodiments, the deal creation system supports dynamic generation ofunique listing prices for used vehicles. In some embodiments, the dealcreation system also enables calculation and display, through a dynamicuser interface, of dynamic incremental price increases for usedvehicles. In some embodiments, the deal creation system can alsogenerate distinct transaction terms and/or source distinct transactionterms from third-party providers.

In some embodiments, the used vehicle marketing and sales platformcomprises a dealer matching system that can be configured to match usedvehicle dealers to a complete transaction in order to provide a physicallocation for delivery of the used vehicle and/or in order to serve as afulfillment agent for the transaction. In some embodiments, the dealermatching system can dynamically generate a dealer match score thatprovides a measure of dealer compatibility with a transaction based onthe complete transaction terms and/or dealer-specified requirements. Insome embodiments, a real-time dynamic calculation analysis between thecomplete transaction terms and dealer-specified requirements isperformed to determine the availability of used vehicle dealers toeffectuate the deal. In some embodiments, the dealer matching system canprovide buyers, through a dynamic user interface, the option to select adealer from a list of matched used vehicle dealers that can complete thetransaction. In some embodiments, dealers may compete and/or participatein a bidding system within the platform in order to be matched to thetransaction by the dealer matching system or selected by the buyer. Insome embodiments, dealers may lower their bid by, for example,decreasing a threshold required margin and/or transaction fee and/orcommission and/or other fees or costs to be gained from a vehicletransaction. In some embodiments, the dealer matching system candynamically and/or in real-time and/or automatically select a dealerhaving the highest dealer match score or otherwise having a highcompatibility with the transaction to execute the deal. In someembodiments, the level of compatibility may be measured by severalfactors including, for example, vehicle price, sales margin, dealercosts, dealer commissions, historical ratings of dealer based on priortransactions and/or other user ratings, dealer fees, dealer location,dealer availability, customer location, quality of the dealer,historical timing of the transaction, trade-in existence, trade-invalue, vehicle type, extended service plan existence, extended serviceplan terms, warranty existence, warranty terms, financing terms, upsellor supplementary items or features, add-ons, taxes, and other terms.

In some embodiments, the platform is connected to various third-partydata and service providers that deliver, for example, auction data, userinformation, vehicle information, accident reports, ownership reports,vehicle photography, inspection, market, trade-in, financing, location,and historical transaction data and supply transaction terms such asfinancing terms, extended service plans, extended warranties, and add-onfeatures, merchandise, and goods. In some embodiments, the platformconnects to third-party data and service providers through one or moreapplication programming interfaces (APIs). In some embodiments, theplatform is configured to perform pre-processing and standardization ofthe acquired data from third-party databases. In some embodiments, theplatform is configured to implement and/or utilize HTTP cookies or otherdigital fingerprint capabilities in order to collect geolocation dataand other user data.

In some embodiments, the system offers add-on vehicle features,merchandise, and/or goods that can be added to the transaction. In someembodiments, the system is configured to recommend certain add-onfeatures, merchandise, services, products, and/or goods based on, forexample, historical purchasing information, third-party data acquired bythe system, paid advertisements, and/or user preferences.

In some embodiments, the owner of the used vehicle marketing and salesplatform may acquire possession and/or ownership of a used vehicleduring the course of a transaction and/or during the various periodsdescribed herein. In other embodiments, the owner of the used vehiclemarketing and sales platform may never take physical possession and/orownership of a vehicle during the various periods described hereinand/or during the transaction, wherein the vehicle is marketed or soldthrough the dynamic user interface. In some embodiments, a vehicledealer may not take possession and/or ownership of a vehicle that ismarketed or sold through the dynamic user interface until thetransaction terms are selected and a dealer is matched to thetransaction. An advantage of this configuration is that neither theowner of the used vehicle marketing and sales platform nor thedealership requires significant ongoing capital investments toparticipate in a used vehicle transaction and/or share in its profits.Another advantage is that vehicles do not need to be removed from theauction process to be marketed on the platform; in other words, avehicle can simultaneously move through the auction process while alsoproceeding through the process set forth by the systems disclosedherein. In some embodiments, the vehicle may continue to proceed throughthe various steps of the auction process until it is sold through theplatform and removed from the process or it is sold through auction andremoved from the platform. In some embodiments, the used vehiclemarketing and sales platform can be used as a concurrent listing site toan auction listing, and the owner of the platform may take no exclusivepossession or ownership of consignor vehicles. In some embodiments, avehicle can be put through the processes set forth by the systems hereinprior to the vehicle entering the auction process and/or other processesfor selling a vehicle. Thus, in some embodiments, the used vehiclemarketing and sales platform may shorten the Gray period in which avehicle is unused and/or unsold at very little risk or cost to aconsignor. In some embodiments, the system may market and/or sellvehicles before their availability date, such that the Gray period issubstantially eliminated, and the vehicle is transferred to the buyerbefore or immediately upon its date of availability.

In some embodiments, buyers may have no physical or haptic interactionwith a vehicle before final purchase confirmation at a selecteddealership. In other words, a buyer may have no opportunity totest-drive or inspect a vehicle in-person before purchase. In someembodiments, used vehicles will be discounted by the system in order tocompensate a buyer for having no physical or haptic contact with thevehicle before purchase. In other embodiments, a buyer may physicallyinspect and test-drive the vehicle before purchase.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating example embodiments of the ownershipflow in the systems, methods, and devices for marketing and selling usedvehicles during an extended sale period and dynamically matching usedvehicle dealers to used vehicle transactions disclosed herein. In someembodiments, such as in ownership timeline 1, possession and/orownership of a used vehicle remains with a consignor while the vehicleis subject to a marketing process 602 within the systems, methods, anddevices disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the consignor maintainsownership even when the vehicle undergoes shipping 604 to a selecteddealership 606. In other embodiments, such as in ownership timeline 2,ownership transfers to a dealer upon delivery to the dealership lot 606.In other embodiments, there may be other owners during transfer of thevehicle and/or during the fulfillment pendency. For example, during thisperiod, a used vehicle may be owned by, for example, the owner of theused vehicle marketing and sales platform, a dealership, the buyer, or athird party. In some embodiments, once the used vehicle transaction hasbeen completed, a buyer takes possession and ownership or the vehiclefor a pre-determined return period 608 in which the buyer has the optionto return the vehicle through a return process 612. In some embodiments,the dealer and/or the owner of the used vehicles marketing and salesplatform may receive a deposit from the buyer prior to the return period608. In some embodiments, a return during the return period 608 maynullify the transaction at no or very little cost to the buyer andtransfer ownership and possession back to the consignor, dealer, orother prior ownership party. In some embodiments, the return period is areturn guarantee period during which the vehicle can be returned, andthe transaction can be cancelled. In some embodiments, the systems,methods, and devices disclosed herein may dynamically determine thelength of the return period based on various factors including, forexample, vehicle value, condition, transaction terms, dealer terms,vehicle make, vehicle model, and other factors. In some embodiments, thereturn period may end upon a pre-determined level of usage of thevehicle, measured in, for example, allowed mileage during the returnperiod.

In some embodiments, after the return period 608, there is a post-returnperiod, during which the buyer may enter the return process 612 atadditional cost to the buyer. In some embodiments, the cost of thereturn process 612 may be adjusted in the event that a defect is foundin the vehicle. Thus, in some embodiments, possession and ownership ofthe vehicle never transfers to the owner of the systems, methods, anddevices described herein.

In some embodiments, a returned vehicle is placed back into the auctionprocess, returned to the consignor, and/or relisted on the platform uponreturn. In other embodiments, the dealer or another contracting actormay take possession and/or ownership of a returned vehicle.

In some embodiments, the platform is further configured to access usedvehicle availability data from one or more auction databases. In someembodiments, the used vehicle availability data can comprise informationregarding vehicles currently in the auction process. In other words, thesystem can obtain vehicle data not only from consignor inventorydatabases but also auction databases. In addition, the used vehicleavailability data from auction databases can comprise auction locationand timing information, such that the system can determine when andwhere the vehicles will be sold. Using this data, along with historicaltransaction data, the system can determine whether or not to display agiven vehicle to users for purchase. For example, if a given vehicle iscurrently in an exceedingly remote location from a user and/or isscheduled to be sold at auction within a short period of time, thesystem may determine, based on historical search and transaction data ofsimilar vehicles, a probability that the vehicle will be sold beforeauction. In some embodiments, if the system determines that theprobability of sale is below a threshold level, the vehicle may not belisted on the platform. In some embodiments, the probability of sale ofa certain vehicle may influence the vehicle ranking system describedherein. In some embodiments, the system may be configured to identifyvarious vehicle features and compare those features to the correspondingfeatures of other vehicles to determine similarity. Those featuresinclude, for example vehicle make, vehicle model, exterior color,interior color, price, body type, mileage, location, age, date ofavailability, vehicle history, VIN, vehicle type, trim level,transmission type, engine type, fuel type, condition, and user rating.

In some embodiments, the system may be configured to utilize the usedvehicle availability data from the one or more auction databases ingenerating unique price listings. For example, the system may set alower listing price at a temporally distant date from an auction datefor a vehicle in order to incentivize early purchase. The system may beconfigured to transmit an electronic notification, through the dynamicuser interface, to alert a user that the listing price of the vehiclemay rise and/or that the vehicle may be delisted from the platform asthe auction date approaches.

The systems, methods, and devices described herein reduce the time andcost associated with marketing and selling a used vehicle sourced from aconsignor. In some embodiments, the systems, methods, and devices hereinallow a consignor to avoid the conventional auction process entirely,saving time and costs. In some embodiments, consignor inventory can bemarketed and sold directly through the systems, methods, and devicesherein at no additional cost to the consignor. However, in someembodiments, a vehicle can be marketed and sold through the used vehiclemarketing and sales platform, while still proceeding through the usedvehicle auction process. If the vehicle is sold through the used vehiclemarketing and sales platform, it can be removed from the auctionprocess. Otherwise, it can continue to advance through the variousprocesses described above with relation to FIG. 2, until it is soldthrough auction. In some embodiments, a vehicle is removed from the usedvehicle marketing and sales platform before or at the time it is sold atauction.

The systems, methods, and devices herein relate to the marketing andsale of all used vehicles, and in particular, cars. Other vehicles thatmay be marketed and sold through the systems, methods, and devicesherein include, for example, boats, trucks, aircraft, motorcycles,bicycles, buses, campers, personal water crafts, limousines,locomotives, mopeds, scooters, rickshaws, sleighs, tanks, tractors, andvans.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an example embodiment of a processfor matching consignor vehicles with buyers and dealers. In someembodiments, the used car marketing and sales platform can obtainvehicle data from a consignor 304. In some embodiments, this vehicledata may comprise one or more of vehicle make, vehicle model, exteriorcolor, interior color, price, body type, mileage, location, age, date ofavailability, vehicle history, VIN, vehicle type, trim level,transmission type, engine type, fuel type, condition, and user rating.

In some embodiments, some or all of the vehicle data will be provided tobuyers 302 via a dynamic user interface that updates based on varioussystem elements described herein, including, for example, user feedbackmechanisms, changing consignor inventories, standard periodic updates,vehicle ranking systems, user customization, user filtering and updatedsearch parameters. In some embodiments, the buyer(s) 302 can select avehicle for purchase through the dynamic user interface to commence aused vehicle purchase transaction. In some embodiments, through thedynamic user interface, the buyer(s) 302 will be offered and can selectvarious transaction terms generated by the system or by third-partyproviders.

In some embodiments, the buyer(s) 302 will complete selection oracceptance of the transaction terms to consummate the transaction andcreate a deal 306. In some embodiments, the deal 306 will comprisevarious transaction terms, including, for example, price, trade-inexistence, trade-in value, vehicle type, extended service plans,warranties, financing terms, upsell or supplementary items or features,taxes, and other terms. In some embodiments, the upsell or supplementaryitems or features may comprise, for example, extended service plans,extended warranties, tires, safety features, headlights, windshieldwipers, headlight washers, headlight wipers, heated seats, heated sidemirrors, heated steering wheel, remote start, windshield wiper deicers,winter tires, power seats, forward-collision warning, automaticemergency braking, backup cameras, rear cross-traffic alerts, blind-spotmonitoring, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity,360-degree surround-view camera systems, heads-up displays, USB ports,voice control systems, dual-zone automatic climate control, automatichigh beams, spare tires, keyless entry, gesture/character recognition,DVD players, built-in navigation, Wi-Fi system, lane-keeping assistancesystem, hydrophobic windows, built-in vacuums, zero-gravity seats,massage seats, traffic light information systems, push button shifting,sunroof, night vision and radar detection systems, automatic parkingsystems, crash detection sensors, autopilot features, autonomous vehiclesystems, adjustable seats, HVAC, cruise control, four-wheel drive, towhitches, automatic transmission, leather seats, and other computerapplications or car improvements.

In some embodiments, based on the various transaction terms of the deal306, the platform can determine a set of suitable used vehicle dealers308 that can be matched with the deal. In some embodiments, matchingused vehicle dealers 308 with a deal 306 may comprise comparing thetransaction terms with dealer-specific requirements in a dealer matchengine as described herein. In some embodiments, the suitable usedvehicle dealers 308 are presented to the buyer for selection of apreferred dealer to complete the transaction. In other embodiments, thesystem may assign a dealer to complete the transaction.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an example embodiment of a usedvehicle marketing and selling process. In some embodiments, a buyer canconduct a used vehicle search 402. In some embodiments, the system willreceive, from the prospective buyer or purchaser, search parameters fora target vehicle. These search parameters may include, for example,vehicle make, vehicle model, exterior color, interior color, price, bodytype, mileage, location, age, date of availability, vehicle history,VIN, vehicle type, trim level, transmission type, engine type, fueltype, condition, user rating, and/or other features. Using the searchparameters, the system may perform a search engine query across one ormore vehicle inventory databases to obtain one or more used vehicle dataentries. In some embodiments, the system can then identify, using thesearch parameters inputted by the prospective purchaser, among the oneor more used vehicle data entries, one or more similar used vehiclescorresponding to the target vehicle.

The one or more similar used vehicles can constitute search results 404,which can, in some embodiments be displayed, through a dynamic userinterface, to the prospective purchaser or buyer. In variousembodiments, the system can update, refine, and/or improve these resultsperiodically in response updated inventory queries, updated searchparameters, and/or user feedback. In some embodiments, the results areupdated based on data acquired through periodic access to a consignorinventory database. In some embodiments, the updated results aretransmitted via a transmission means including, for example, electronicmail, text message, instant message, dynamically generated website, orother electronic means of communication.

In some embodiments, the system can implement additional resultsfeatures, such as vehicle recommendations or suggestions. For example,the used vehicle marketing and sales platform can identify and displayvehicles to the prospective buyer or purchaser for consideration that donot match a user's specifications or search parameters. For example, theuser may specify a desired vehicle brand that the system can search for,but in addition to vehicles matching that brand, the system may alsodisplay one or more vehicles of a similar or even dissimilar alternativebrand for consideration. Another example may be if the user enters aspecified vehicle model, the system can identify and display vehicles ofthat model, but also recommend vehicles of a different make and model.In some embodiments, recommendations may be based on historical purchasedata, a calculated value rating, similarities to the target vehicle,and/or other considerations. In some embodiments, the recommendationsmay be paid advertisements.

If the prospective buyer selects a vehicle for purchase, the system cangenerate various transaction terms to create a deal 406 through a dealcreation system that controls the pricing and terms generated anddisplayed to buyers and facilitates the completion of the used vehicletransaction. In some embodiments, the buyer or purchaser can be promptedto select from various purchase selections comprising differenttransactions terms. In some embodiments, the transaction terms can begenerated by third-party providers to which the used vehicle marketingand sales platform has an established connection. In some embodiments,the used vehicle marketing and sales platform can dynamically generatethe transaction terms. In some embodiments, the system can display boththird-party and system generated transaction terms for selection. Insome embodiments, one or more transaction terms are automaticallyassigned to a used vehicle transaction without user selection.

In some embodiments, once the purchase selections have been made and thedeal 406 is accepted by the purchaser, the used vehicle marketing andsales platform can utilize a dealer matching system that matches usedvehicle dealers to a complete transaction in order to provide a physicallocation for delivery of the used vehicle and/or a counterparty for thetransaction. In some embodiments, the dealer matching system will matchdealers based on their compatibility with the transaction, as describedin more detail below. In some embodiments, the level of compatibilitymay be measured by several factors including, for example, vehicleprice, sales margin, vehicle location, buyer location, trade-inexistence, trade-in value, vehicle type, extended service planexistence, extended service plan terms, warranty existence, warrantyterms, financing terms, upsell or supplementary items or features,taxes, and other terms. In some embodiments, the user can be prompted tomake a dealership selection 408 from a list of compatible dealers. Insome embodiments, the platform may be configured to provide vehicletitle and registration services to the buyer. The specificimplementation and nature of these services may vary based on thephysical location of the buyer and dealer selected. In some embodiments,these services may be offered before dealer selection.

In some embodiments, once dealership selection 408 has been completed,the vehicle can be sent to the selected used vehicle dealer for pickupand execution 410. In some embodiments, the systems, methods, anddevices disclosed herein may facilitate delivery of the vehicle to thebuyer's home or another place where the dealer can complete fulfillment.In some embodiments, the owner of the used vehicle marketing and salesplatform may also act as the dealer. In some embodiments, the owner ofthe platform may deliver a used vehicle through its own supply chain.This may occur, for example, if no other dealers are available or theplatform is unable to identify a matching dealer. In some embodiments,execution 410 of the transaction can be completed entirely through thedynamic user interface of the used vehicle marketing and sales platform.In other embodiments, execution 410 of the transaction documents can becompleted in-person, at the selected dealership.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating another example embodiment of a usedvehicle marketing and selling process. In the example embodiment of FIG.5, dealership selection 506 can occur before purchase selections havebeen made by the user/buyer or transaction terms have been assigned bythe system to the transaction. In some embodiments, dealership selection506 that occurs before completion of the deal 508 can be facilitated bythe dealer matching system described herein. In other embodiments,dealer selection 408 or 506 can be completed by user selection ofseveral dealer options selectively presented based on current userlocation, vehicle type and/or current vehicle location.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an example embodiment of a dealermatching system of the of the used vehicle marketing and sales platform.In some embodiments, the dealer matching system 700 can comprise analgorithmic-based system for electronic transmission of a dynamicallygenerated notification configured to connect a used vehicle transactionwith dealers during a vehicle extended sale period. In some embodiments,the vehicle extended sale period comprises the Pre-Gray period and/orthe Gray period described above. In some embodiments, the dealermatching system 700 functions to match a comprehensive used vehicletransaction awaiting execution to one or more compatible dealers. Dealermatching can occur at various points in the transaction process. In someembodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 7, dealer matching occurs uponsystem confirmation of a user's intent to purchase a vehicle at aspecified transaction price with selected transaction terms at 706. Inother embodiments, dealer matching may be performed at the time of theused vehicle search, at the time of vehicle selection but beforetransaction terms are specified, or at other times in the process.

In some embodiments, the dealer matching system comprises a dealer matchengine 702 configured to generate dealer match scores to localize, fromone or more dealer databases 710, one or more dealers for participationin a used vehicle transaction. In some embodiments, the dealer matchscore comprises a measure of dealer compatibility with a transaction,wherein the dealer match score is calculated by processing a pluralityof transaction elements or terms and performing a comparative analysisbetween the plurality of transaction elements or terms and the desiredtransaction criteria for each of the plurality of dealers. In someembodiments, the dealer match engine 702 may not generate dealer matchscores, instead localizing one or more dealers for participation throughother algorithmic methods. In some embodiments, the dealer match engine702 may localize one or more dealers for participation simply bylocating the closest available dealers to the platform user.

In some embodiments, at 708, the dealer match engine 702 can beconfigured to access, from one or more dealer databases 710, a pluralityof dealer profiles, the plurality of dealer profiles comprising desiredtransaction criteria for each of a plurality of dealers. Dealertransaction criteria generally correspond to the transaction terms, suchas the need for and extent of dealer financing, existence and value of atrade-in vehicle, selection of extended warranties and/or servicesplans, sales margin of the transaction, vehicle inspection rating orother terms. Dealer transaction criteria may also comprise acceptablevehicle type, make, model, age, mileage, color, or other featuresdescribed herein. For example, in some embodiments, a certain dealer mayonly execute transactions involving BMW cars. In another example, acertain dealer may only execute transactions meeting a sales margin of acertain threshold level and involving a trade-in vehicle.

In some embodiments, at 712, the dealer match engine 702 can beconfigured to calculate a sales margin based in-part on the differencebetween the specified transaction price of the vehicle and the consignorsales price, obtained from a consignor database 752. In someembodiments, the transaction price is the unique listing price generatedby the vehicle listing price engine described below. In addition to thetransaction price, other factors may be included in the calculation ofsales margin, including, for example, transport costs, inspection costs,add-ons or upsell items, subsidiary trade-in transactions, extendedservice plans and warranties, overhead expenses, taxes, or any otherapplicable profits or expenses.

In some embodiments, at 714, the dealer match engine 702 may beconfigured to compare the calculated sales margin to dealer qualifyingmargin criteria. In some embodiments, the dealer qualifying margincriteria comprises a minimum threshold margin amount that a given dealerrequires to participate in a given used vehicle transaction.

In some embodiments, at 716, the dealer match engine 702 may beconfigured to access one or more historical financing databases 718 toobtain historical purchase financing data to dynamically determine theprobability that the used vehicle transaction will require financing bythe one or more dealers or one or more third parties at 720. In someembodiments, at 722, the dealer match engine can be configured todynamically determine the level of financing required by each dealerbased on, for instance, a minimum specified threshold financing level,the transaction price and sales margin, transportation costs, add-ons,subsidiary trade-in transactions, extended service plans and warranties,overhead expenses, taxes, or any other applicable profits or expenses ofthe transaction. Alternatively, the dealer match engine 702 may beconfigured to prompt the user or buyer to indicate whether and whatlevel of financing is desired or required. In some embodiments, thedealer match engine may be configured to pre-qualify the user or buyerfor financing through one or more dealers and/or third parties. In someembodiments, the dealer match engine may be configured to dynamicallydetermine qualifying lenders based on a buyer profile, obtained from abuyer profile database. The dynamic lender determination may be based ona variety of parameters such as, for example, buyer location,transaction price, level of financing required, vehicle information,and/or other factors.

In some embodiments, at 724, the dealer match engine 702 can beconfigured to process a subsidiary used vehicle trade-in transaction,the processing comprising dynamically determining the value of thetrade-in transaction and identifying whether and how much the subsidiaryused vehicle trade-in transaction will alter the used vehicletransaction price and thus, the calculated sales margin at 726. Thedynamic determination may be completed by calculated trade-intransaction value using vehicle information provided by the user,historical trade-in pricing data, market value data, which can beobtained from system or third-party databases (not shown). In someembodiments, the trade-in transaction value may depend on various otherfactors including, for example, user location and current and projecteddealer inventory.

In some embodiments, at 728, the dealer match engine 702 can beconfigured dynamically determine the probability that an extendedservice plan or warranty will be included in the used vehicletransaction. The probability can be determined from a varioustransaction or historical data including, for example, transactionprice, vehicle model and make, vehicle age, vehicle color, userinformation, and others. Alternatively, the dealer match engine 702 maybe configured to prompt the user or buyer to indicate whether and whattype of extended service plan or warranty will be included in thetransaction. At 730, the dealer match engine 702 can be configured tocompare the probability of inclusion of an extended service planinclusion with specified dealer minimum service plan probabilitythresholds. Alternatively, if the buyer has indicated inclusion and typeof a service plan or warranty, the dealer match engine 702 can beconfigured to compare the existence and type of service plan and/orwarranty with the specified dealer minimum service plan requirements.

In some embodiments, at 732 and 734, the dealer match engine 702 can beconfigured to identify the vehicle type of the vehicle being bought andcompare that type with dealer acceptable type prerequisites. In otherwords, the dealer match engine can determine whether the vehicle typematches a vehicle type for which a dealer has specified that it canexecute transactions.

In some embodiments, transactions terms such as extended servicecontracts, warranties, trade-in value, are added, at a pre-matchingstage, to the transaction price, such that the sales margin is alteredand the dealer matching system is not required to perform some of thecalculations described herein. In some embodiments, one or moretransaction terms may be negotiated between the dealer and buyer at orbefore the time of transaction execution. In some embodiments, based onthe determinations and calculations made at 708-734, the dealer matchengine can be configured to calculate a dealer match score for eachdealer at 736. In some embodiments, when threshold transaction criteriavalues are not met, some dealers may be removed entirely from a list ofpotential dealers to complete the transaction. In some embodiments, nodealer match score is calculated, and all unremoved dealers are matched.

In some embodiments, at 738, the plurality of dealers can be filteredbased on the generated dealer match score for each of the plurality ofdealers to identify a first set of dealers having a generated dealermatch score above a predetermined threshold level.

In some embodiments, at 740, the platform can transmit electronically adynamically generated computer notification to the first set of dealers,the dynamically generated computer notification configured to activate aremote subscriber computer and to enable connection via a URL over acomputer network connection to a data source comprising data about theused vehicle transaction.

In some embodiments, the dealer match engine and the electronictransmission can be automated, such that the plurality of dealersprovide a series of inputs corresponding to transaction criteria, agiven transaction's term will be compared against these inputs todetermine if they are acceptable for each dealer, and if the terms areacceptable, the platform can automatically transmit the dynamicallygenerated computer notification to each dealer which deemed the termsacceptable. In some embodiments, the buyer is prompted to select theirpreferred dealer from the list of matched dealers to send the electronictransmission. In some embodiments, the platform can be configured toallow the first set of dealers to bid on the transaction, such that thelowest bidder, based on, for example, sales margin or price to executethe transaction, of the first set of dealers can be selected to executethe transaction. In some embodiments, an electronic notification can besent to dealers notifying them of the used vehicle transaction andsoliciting fulfillment bids to serve as the dealer for the transaction.In some embodiments, the fulfillment bids may comprise a minimum pricethat the dealer will charge for receiving delivery of the vehicle andexecuting the transaction.

In some embodiments, at 742, the platform can receive, over the computernetwork connection, an electronic confirmation from a first dealer inthe first set of dealers, wherein the electronic confirmation activatesaccess to data at 744, from a transaction database 742, for completingthe used vehicle transaction, wherein the data is accessible only by thefirst dealer to activate the electronic confirmation through thecomputer network connection.

In some embodiments, the platform is configured to electronicallytransmit completed transaction information one or more consignors thatwill notify the consignors regarding the status of pending or completedsales of one or more consignor vehicles.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating another example embodiment of adealer matching system of the of the used vehicle marketing and salesplatform. The example embodiment of FIG. 8 includes some or all of thefeatures of the example embodiment of FIG. 7. However, in the exampleembodiment of FIG. 8, instead of dynamically determining a probabilitythat financing will be required, the dealer match engine can prompt theconsumer/buyer/user to indicate if financing is required and what levelof financing is required in the transaction at 816. Similarmodifications can be made to the dealer match engine, such that it canbe configured to prompt the user to select transaction terms instead ofdetermining various probabilities, such as, for example, the probabilitythat the user will include an extended service plan or warranty in thetransaction at 828. In those embodiments, the indicated transaction term(e.g. financing level or selected extended service plan) can then becompared with a minimum threshold transaction criteria (e.g. minimumfinancing level or minimum required service plan) rather than a minimumthreshold transaction probability criteria.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating another example embodiment of adealer matching system of the used vehicle marketing and sales platform.The example embodiment of FIG. 9 includes some or all of the features ofthe example embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 8 described above. However, inthe example embodiment of FIG. 9, instead of electronically transmittinga dynamically generated computer notification to the first set ofdealers at 740, 840, a notification is instead sent to the buyer orconsumer at 940. In some embodiments, this notification differs from thenotification of the example embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 8, in that it mayallow a buyer to select a preferred dealer from a list of matcheddealers to execute the transaction. In some embodiments, at 942, theplatform is configured to receive, over the computer network connection,an electronic dealer selection from the buyer. In some embodiments, theelectronic dealer selection activates access to data at 944, from atransaction database 946, for completing the used vehicle transaction,wherein the data is accessible only by the buyer selected dealer.

In other embodiments, the dealer matching system can be configured toselect a dealer solely based on a preconfigured selection criteria, asshown in the example embodiment of the flowchart in FIG. 10. In someembodiments, the dealer matching system of the of the used vehiclemarketing and sales platform can be configured to select a dealer solelybased on the dealer's physical proximity to a user. In otherembodiments, the dealer matching system can be configured to select adealer solely based on a user's preconfigured preference.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of an example embodiment of a user interface forconducting a used vehicle search on the used vehicle marketing and salesplatform. The user interface 1100 may comprise various search parametersor filters 1102, including, for example, make 1104, model 1106, bodytype 1108, user budget 1110, vehicle year range 1112, maximum mileage1114, color 1116, and/or zip code 1118. Other filters 1102 may include,for example, exterior color, interior color, price, location, age, dateof availability, vehicle history, VIN, vehicle type, trim level,transmission type, engine type, fuel type, condition, and/or averageuser rating. In some embodiments, a used vehicle search can be conductedusing between about 1 and 100 filters. In some embodiments, a usedvehicle search can be conducted using between about 1 and 5 filters. Insome embodiments, a used vehicle search can be conducted using about 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65,70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, and/or 100 filters, or any value in between theaforementioned values.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of an example embodiment of a user interface for aused vehicle search history on the used vehicle marketing and salesplatform. In some embodiments, the used vehicle marketing and salesplatform may allow a user to view previous search results through a“view” or similar function 1202. In some embodiments, the used vehiclemarketing and sales platform may allow a user to rerun or update asearch query using an “update” or similar function 1204. In someembodiments, the used vehicle marketing and sales platform may allow auser to delete previous searches from the user interface using a“delete” or similar feature 1206.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example embodiment of a usedvehicle ranking system for use in the systems, methods, and devices formarketing and selling used vehicles during an extended sale period anddynamically matching used vehicle dealers to used vehicle transactionsdisclosed herein.

In some embodiments, at 1302, the used vehicle marketing and salesplatform described herein can be configured to receive a user searchcomprising search parameters as discussed above.

Using the user search parameters, the platform may obtain a plurality ofconsignor vehicle data entries at 1304, for one or more vehicleinventory databases 1306. In some embodiments, the used vehicle dataentries contain information regarding consignor vehicles, including, forexample, availability date, vehicle location, consignor price, vehicletype, vehicle features, and other data.

In some embodiments, at 1308, the used vehicle ranking system mayidentify, based on a comparison of the user search parameters and theinformation in the used vehicle data entries, a target vehicle. In someembodiments, after identifying the target vehicle, the used vehicleranking system may obtain the consignor price at 1310 from the targetvehicle's corresponding used vehicle data entry.

In some embodiments, at 1312, the vehicle ranking system may obtain,from one or more used vehicle pricing databases 1314, market pricingdata for a plurality of currently available or previously sold vehicles.The vehicle ranking system can be configured to identify within themarket pricing data, based on common characteristics or features, one ormore equivalent vehicles to the target vehicle and the price of thoseequivalent vehicles at 1316. At 1318, the vehicle ranking system cancalculate an average market price of the equivalent vehicles usingaveraging algorithms.

In some embodiments, at 1320, the vehicle ranking system can compare theconsignor price of the target vehicle to the average market price ofequivalent vehicles.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, at 1322, the vehicle ranking systemcan calculate an estimated transport cost based on a comparison of thetarget vehicle location, obtained from the target vehicle data entryfrom the one or more vehicle inventory databases 1306, and the userlocation, obtained from user input, GPS functionality, or otherwise.

Using the price comparison and the estimated transport cost, at 1326,the vehicle ranking system can compute a value rating for the targetvehicle.

At 1328, the system can repeat the aforementioned process for aplurality of target vehicles. The number of target vehicles for whichthe value rating is computed can be based on a predetermined amount ordynamically determined based on the value ratings computed by the systemso far. For example, if the used vehicle ranking system has alreadyobtained an excess amount of high value rating target vehicles, it mayterminate the cycle. In other embodiments, value ratings may becalculated for every identified equivalent vehicle.

In some embodiments, at 1330, the vehicle ranking system may rank theplurality of target vehicles for which a value rating has been computed.A subset or the entire set of the ranked target vehicles can then bedisplayed, at 1332, through a dynamic user interface, to the user, thesubset determined based on rank.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating another example embodiment of a usedvehicle ranking process of the systems, methods, and devices formarketing and selling used vehicles during an extended sale period anddynamically matching used vehicle dealers to used vehicle transactionsdisclosed herein.

The example embodiment of FIG. 14 includes some or all of the featuresof the example embodiment of FIG. 13 described above. However, theexample embodiment of FIG. 14 may include one or more transport costdatabases 1424, which may connect directly into the systems of one ormore third-party logistics providers. In some embodiments, the one ormore transport cost databases 1424 can provide transport cost estimatesbased on the location of the target vehicle and the location of the userprovided by the system. The system, at 1422 can obtain the transportcost estimates.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating another example embodiment of a usedvehicle marketing and selling process for facilitating a sale of a usedvehicle to a prospective purchaser.

The used vehicle marketing and sales platform may, at 1504, receive,from the prospective buyer or purchaser, search parameters for a targetvehicle. These search parameters may include, for example, vehicle make,vehicle model, exterior color, interior color, price, body type,mileage, location, age, date of availability, vehicle history, VIN,vehicle type, trim level, transmission type, engine type, fuel type,condition, user rating, and/or other features. In response to receivingthe search parameters, the platform may conduct a vehicle search at 1506by performing a search engine query across one or more vehicle inventorydatabases based on the received search parameters. In performing thesearch, the platform may obtain a plurality of used vehicle data entriesat 1510.

In some embodiments, the platform may be configured to identify, withinthe plurality of used vehicle data entries, one or more similar usedvehicles at 1512, based on a comparison of the search parameters withvarious vehicle characteristics and features described herein. In someembodiments, at 1514, the platform may dynamically determine a listingprice for each of the similar used vehicles using, for example, thevehicle listing price system described herein. In some embodiments, at1516, the platform may perform used vehicle rankings techniques on thesimilar used vehicles to assign a ranking at 1518 using, for example,the vehicle ranking system described herein. In some embodiments, at1520, the used vehicle marketing and sales platform can generate asubset of the ranked similar vehicles, wherein the subset can begenerated based on the relative ranking of the similar vehicles.

In some embodiments, at 1522, the platform can be configured to displaythe generated subset of used vehicles to a prospective purchaser throughthe dynamic user interface along with one or more feedback mechanismscorresponding to each displayed vehicle. In some embodiments, at 1524,the platform can be configured to receive feedback for one or more ofthe similar vehicles of the subset through the one or more feedbackmechanisms. At 1526, the feedback received can comprise either positiveor negative feedback from a prospective purchaser. In some embodiments,at 1528, the platform can be configured to adjust the ranking of thesimilar vehicles not included in the subset based on the feedbackreceived from the user on the vehicles within the first subset. Based onthe adjusted rankings, a new subset can be generated at 1520 and theprocess can be repeated until the system receives a signal of intent topurchase a designated vehicle of the one of the similar vehicles at1530.

In some embodiments, at 1532, the platform can prompt a user to selecttransaction terms from a plurality of available purchase selectionsgenerated by the platform and/or third-party services. In someembodiments, the transaction terms are those discussed above in relationto the dealer matching system. In some embodiments, at 1534, theplatform can be configured to identify available dealers using, forexample, the dealer matching system described herein.

In some embodiments, at 1536, the platform can be configured to display,to the prospective purchaser, the list of identified dealers using, forexample, an electronically transmitted computer notification asdescribed herein. In some embodiments, at 1538, the platform isconfigured to receive, over the computer network connection, anelectronic dealer selection from the buyer. In some embodiments, at1540, the platform can be configured to electronically transmit purchaseconfirmation to the prospective purchaser. In some embodiments, theelectronic dealer selection activates access to transaction terms data,at 1542, for completing the used vehicle transaction, wherein the datais accessible only by the buyer selected dealer. In some embodiments, at1544, the platform can be configured to schedule delivery of thedesignated vehicle to the selected dealer through, for example, athird-party logistics provider.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example embodiment of a feedbackloop of the used vehicle marketing and sales platform.

At 1604, the feedback system 1600 can obtain a used vehicle rankingfrom, for example, the used vehicle ranking system described above. At1606, the used vehicle marketing and sales platform can generate asubset of the ranked vehicles, wherein the subset can be generated basedon the relative ranking of the ranked vehicles.

In some embodiments, at 1608, the platform can be configured to displaythe generated subset of used vehicles to a prospective purchaser throughthe dynamic user interface along with one or more feedback mechanismscorresponding to displayed vehicle. In some embodiments, the feedbackmechanisms comprise binary selection tools. In some embodiments thebinary selection tools comprise a “thumbs up” indicating positivefeedback and a “thumbs down” indicating negative feedback. However, inother embodiments, the binary selection tool could be displayed orimplemented in various other forms such as, for example, haptic swipingup/down or left/right, green/red buttons, or otherwise.

In some embodiments, at 1610, the feedback system 1600 can be configuredto receive feedback for one or more of the vehicles of the subsetthrough the one or more feedback mechanisms. At 1612, the feedbackreceived can comprise either positive or negative feedback from aprospective purchaser. In some embodiments, at 1612, the platform can beconfigured to adjust the ranking of the vehicles not included in thesubset based on the feedback received from the user on the vehicleswithin the first subset. Based on the adjusted rankings, a new subsetcan be generated at 1606 and the process can be repeated until thesystem receives a manifestation of intent to purchase one of thevehicles at 1616.

In some embodiments, the feedback system can be configured to provideinitial subset of vehicles having a broad range of types,characteristics, and features. Based on user feedback, the platform canbe configured to provide subsequent vehicle subsets with a narrowerrange of types, characteristics, and features.

In some embodiments, the platform is further configured to aggregatefeedback data from a plurality of users to identify trends or patternsin user feedback. In some embodiments, these trends or patterns can beutilized to guide the vehicle ranking system described herein andinfluence which vehicles are displayed to individual users. For example,if a specific make or model vehicle receives a significantly aboveaverage percentage of positive feedback activations, the system mayadjust a ranking or suggestion algorithm in response. In someembodiments, the platform can be configured to recognize trends orpatterns in user feedback based on more nuanced features than vehiclemake and model. For example, the system can be configured to recognizetrends positive feedback for vehicles with certain features orcharacteristics such as, for example, exterior color, interior color,price, body type, mileage, location, age, date of availability, vehiclehistory, vehicle type, trim level, transmission type, engine type, fueltype, condition, and user rating, and other vehicle features. In someembodiments, the platform can be configured to utilize artificialintelligence and/or machine learning technologies to further refine thevehicle ranking system and its adjustments to feedback trends. In someembodiments, the platform can be configured to display vehicles havingno or few characteristics matching a first set of search parametersinputted by prospective purchasers and request feedback on thosevehicles. If those vehicles receive positive feedback, they may bedisplayed more frequently to other prospective purchasers who inputsimilar search parameters as the first set of search parameters.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example embodiment of a dynamicvehicle listing price system for the used vehicle marketing and salesplatform. The dynamic vehicle listing price system may facilitate usedvehicle transactions in the Pre-Gray period and/or Gray period such thatthe platform can market and sell used vehicles in an extended saleperiod relative to other systems.

The used vehicle marketing and sales platform may, at 1704, obtaintarget vehicle data from one or more vehicle profile databases 1706configured to store a plurality of vehicle profiles corresponding to aplurality of vehicles. In some embodiments, the target vehicle data caninclude an availability date at which the target vehicle will no longerbe in use by the consignor, and current vehicle location. At 1708, theplatform may obtain, from one or more used vehicle inventory databases1710, a consignor price for the target vehicle. In some embodiments, theconsignor price represents the minimum value that a consignor wouldaccept for a target vehicle. Based on the consignor price, the platformmay determine a minimum listing price at 1712, wherein the minimumlisting price may represent the lowest possible price that the vehiclecan be sold at a profit. In some embodiments, the minimum listing pricemay correspond to a minimum threshold sales margin.

In some embodiments, at 1714, the platform can be configured to obtainhistorical and/or current pricing data from one or more price databases1716 configured to store historical and/or current market pricing datacorresponding to a plurality of completed and/or current used vehiclelistings. In some embodiments, based on the historical and/or currentpricing data and the vehicle location, the platform can be configured todynamically determine the current market price of the target vehicle.

In some embodiments, the platform comprises a vehicle listing priceengine 1732 configured to dynamically determine a plurality of uniquelisting prices, each unique listing price of the plurality of listingprices corresponding to each of the plurality of prospective purchasersfor each of the plurality of vehicles.

The vehicle listing price engine 1732 may, at 1720, obtain, from one ormore purchaser profile databases 1722 configured to store a plurality ofpurchaser profile data, the purchaser profile data comprising one ormore of financial, desired vehicle identification, and contactinformation corresponding to a plurality of prospective purchasers,purchaser profile data for prospective purchasers. In some embodiments,based on the purchaser profile data, the vehicle listing price engine1732, at 1724, can determine upper and/or lower threshold pricing levelsfor each prospective purchaser.

In some embodiments, the vehicle listing price engine 1732, at 1726, maycompare the current date to the availability date of the target vehicle.Based on the date comparison, the vehicle listing price engine 1732 candynamically calculate a unique listing price at 1728. In someembodiments, the unique listing price can be higher than the minimumlisting price determined by the platform. In some embodiments, theunique listing price can be lower than the determined market price ofthe target vehicle, and can be dynamically displayed alongside thedetermined market price to the user. In other embodiments, the uniquelisting price may be higher than the determined market price. Forexample, vehicles having rare or premium features, vehicles whosehistorical price trajectory has risen recently, vehicles who are in highdemand, or other vehicles may have a unique listing price higher thanthe determined market price. In some embodiments, the unique listingprice can also depend on various other factors, such as, for example,vehicle location, transport costs, vehicle type rarity, uniqueness ofvehicle features, and other considerations. In some embodiments, thedifference between the unique listing price and the minimum listingprice is smaller when the present date is relatively temporally remotefrom the availability date, and the difference between the uniquelisting price and the minimum listing price is increased incrementallyas the current date approaches the availability date.

In some embodiments, the vehicle listing price engine 1732 can befurther configured to dynamically determine purchaser-unique incrementalprice increases for the target vehicle at 1730. The incremental priceincreases may be based on various factors including, for example, thedifference between the current date and the availability, the differencebetween the current date and the auction date, vehicle make, vehiclemodel, exterior color, interior color, price, body type, mileage,location, age, date of availability, vehicle history, VIN, vehicle type,trim level, transmission type, engine type, fuel type, condition, anduser rating. In some embodiments, the vehicle listing price engine 1732can be configured to generate a single unique listing price that is notincrementally increased over time.

In some embodiments, the vehicle pricing engine is utilized during theGray period to calculate a unique listing price and to calculateincremental price increases as the auction date approaches. In someembodiments, the vehicle pricing engine is utilized during the Pre-Grayperiod to calculate a unique listing price and to calculate incrementalprice increases as the availability date approaches. In someembodiments, the platform can be configured to arrange delivery of avehicle at or after a future availability date if the vehicle ispurchased through the platform before the availability date. In someembodiments, the platform can be configured to determine whether andwhen to list a vehicle on the platform based on a comparison of thecurrent date with a future availability or auction date.

In some embodiments, the platform is configured to transmitelectronically, a dynamically generated computer notification at 1734,the dynamically generated computer notification displayed through thedynamic user interface, to the prospective purchaser, wherein thedynamically generated computer notification is configured to activate aremote subscriber computer and to enable connection via a URL over acomputer network connection to a data source comprising data about theunique listing price.

In some embodiments, the platform is configured to receive, at 1736,over the computer network connection, an electronic confirmation fromthe prospective purchaser, wherein the electronic confirmation activatesaccess to data at 1738 for purchasing the target used vehicle, whereinthe data is accessible only by the prospective purchaser. In someembodiments, after receiving purchase confirmation from the prospectivepurchaser, the platform can be configured to determine whether thevehicle is still available for sale by, for example, accessing the oneor more used vehicle inventory databases 1710.

In some embodiments, the platform can be further configured to determinewhether a vehicle is still available for sale such that is eligible forlisting through the platform. For example, the platform may connect witha consignor system database, retrieve vehicle data, including, forinstance, the vehicle availability date and the auction date, estimatethe stage at which the vehicle is in the wholesale/auction process, anddetermine the price of the vehicle at that stage of the process. In someembodiments, the platform can estimate whether it is still feasible tosell the vehicle. For example, the platform may dynamically estimate,based on auction information, if fees incurred thus far in the auctionprocess are excessive such that the vehicle is no longer marketable to abuyer based on the purchaser information obtained from one or morepurchaser profile databases 1722. In some embodiments, a vehicle may belocked into the auction process such that the platform will no longermarket the vehicle to buyers. In some embodiments, the platform can beconfigured to dynamically determine the time at which a vehicle willbecome locked into the auction process, and to dynamically adjust thelisting price in order to incentivize purchase of the vehicle before thelockout date. In some embodiments, the platform can be configured todetermine the probability that a vehicle will not sell at auction andfurther estimate a reduction in price from a wholesaler. In someembodiments, this probability and estimated reduction can be utilized bythe unique vehicle listing price engine in calculating the listingprice. In some embodiments, the platform can be configured to estimatethe probability that a consignor will reduce the price of a vehicle andcan use this estimate in generating a unique listing price for thevehicle.

In some embodiments, the platform can be further configured to accessused vehicle availability data from one or more auction databases. Insome embodiments, the used vehicle availability data can compriseinformation regarding vehicles currently in the auction process. Inother words, the system can obtain vehicle data not only from consignorinventory databases but also auction databases. In addition, the usedvehicle availability data from auction databases can comprise auctionlocation and timing information, such that the system can determine whenand where the vehicles will be sold. Using this data, along withhistorical transaction data, the system can determine whether or not todisplay a given vehicle to users for purchase.

In some embodiments, the platform can be configured to connect auctioninventory to the platform and/or to third-party dealer systems, suchthat the used vehicles in the auction inventory can be directly marketedand sold to consumers through the used vehicle marketing and salesplatform described herein or the third-party dealer systems. The varioussystems described herein, including, for example, the vehicle rankingsystem, the dealer matching system, and the vehicle price listingsystem, are equally applicable to used vehicles obtained through auctioninventory databases.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating example embodiments of consumerexpertise indicators for the systems, methods, and devices disclosedherein. In some embodiments, the consumer expertise indicator functionsby dynamically displaying a consumer expertise signal configured toillustrate a user's level of knowledge with a used vehicle market. Insome embodiments, the system measures a user's level of knowledge basedon the number of user activations of a feedback mechanism, wherein theconsumer expertise signal is updated upon each activation of thefeedback mechanism.

For example, consumer expertise indicators 1802, 1804, and 1806 may bedisplayed at different times through the dynamic user interface of theused vehicle marketing and sales platform. In some embodiments, beforeor at the beginning of a user search, the dynamic user interface maydisplay unfilled consumer expertise indicator or signal 1802. In someembodiments, consumer expertise signal 1802 is an outline of a vehicleshape devoid of color or filling, indicating a consumer or prospectivepurchasers lack of familiarity or knowledge of the relevant vehiclemarket. In some embodiments, as the consumer spends more time on theplatform, conducts additional searches, submits feedback through afeedback mechanism, purchases vehicles, or otherwise interacts with thesystem, the consumer purchase indicator 1802 may be updated to display,for example, consumer expertise indicator 1804 and eventually consumerexpertise indicator 1806. In some embodiments, the level color orfilling represents the level of consumer expertise. Thus, for example,consumer expertise indicator 1804 may indicate that the consumer isabout familiar with the used vehicle market but is not yet an expert,while consumer expertise indicator 1806 may indicate a high level ofknowledge, understanding, or expertise of the market. In someembodiments, the level of expertise represented by the consumerexpertise indicators can be based on a user's level of interaction withthe systems, methods, and devices herein.

FIG. 19 is a diagram of an example embodiment of a user interface fortransaction terms and dealer selection of the systems, methods, anddevices disclosed herein. A dynamic user interface 1900 may display alist of matched dealers generated by the dealer matching systemdescribed above. In some embodiments, the generated list may be updateddynamically based on the physical location of the user, which can bedetermined, for example, by the GPS functionality of a mobile deviceand/or user input. In some embodiments, the dynamic user interface candisplay a map overlay that can display the user's current locationand/or the location of the dealers in the generated list. Additionally,in some embodiments, the dynamic user interface 1900 can display thefinal transaction terms and conditions and prompt the user finalacceptance.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of acomputer system configured to run software for implementing one or moreembodiments of the used vehicle marketing and selling systems, methods,and devices disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the various systems,methods, and devices described herein may also be implemented indecentralized systems such as, for example, blockchain applications. Forexample, blockchain technology may be used to maintain updated vehicleinventory, user profile, vehicle profile, dealer profile, ownership,possession, delivery, logistics, market pricing, historical pricing,title, registration and/or financing databases or ledgers, dynamicallygenerate, execute, and record purchase, financing, warranty, and/orservice plan agreements, conduct dealer bidding, conduct vehicleauctions, perform searches, conduct dealer matching, determine pricing,and conduct any other functionalities described herein.

In some embodiments, a used vehicle transaction system 2002 may becomprised of a dealer match module 2004, a feedback module 2006, avehicle listing price module 2008, a vehicle ranking module 2010, asuggestion module 2011, a historical transaction database 2012, a dealerdatabase 2014, a user database 2016, and/or a vehicle database 2018. Theused vehicle transaction system 2002 can be connected to a network 2020.The network 2020 can be configured to connect used vehicle transactionsystem 2002 to one or more dealer systems 2022, one or more consumerdevices 2024, one or more consignor systems 2026, one or morethird-party provider systems 2028, and/or one or more auction systems2030.

The dealer match module 2004 may function by dynamically generating adealer match score that provides a measure of dealer compatibility witha transaction based on the complete transaction terms anddealer-specified requirements. The feedback module 2006 may beconfigured to allow a user to indicate positive or negative feedback onthe quality of the first exchange listing. The vehicle listing pricemodule 2008 may be configured to dynamically determine a plurality ofunique listing prices, each unique listing price of the plurality oflisting prices corresponding to each of a plurality of prospectivepurchasers for each of a plurality of vehicles. The vehicle rankingmodule 2010 may function by computing a value rating for variousvehicles and ranking the various vehicles based on the value rating orother factors described herein. The suggestion module 2011 may functionby making vehicle recommendations based on, for example, historicalpurchase data, a calculated value rating, similarities to the targetvehicle, and/or other considerations. Each of the modules can beconfigured to interact with each other and the databases discussedherein.

The historical transaction database 2012 can store historicaltransaction data and/or current availability data regarding a pluralityof used vehicles. The dealer database 2014 can store dealer criteria anddealer information for use by the platform, including, for example, thedealer matching systems described herein. The user database 2016 maystore user profile information for use by the platform, including, forexample, the unique vehicle listing price systems described herein. Thevehicle database 2018 may store vehicle information, such as make,model, age, mileage, and other vehicle features or characteristicsdescribed herein. Each of the databases can be configured to interactwith each other and the modules discussed herein.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram depicting an embodiment of a computerhardware system configured to run software for implementing one or moreembodiments of the used vehicle marketing and selling systems, methods,and devices disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, the systems, processes, and methods describedherein are implemented using a computing system, such as the oneillustrated in FIG. 21. The example computer system 2102 is incommunication with one or more computing systems 2120 and/or one or moredata sources 2122 via one or more networks 2118. While FIG. 21illustrates an embodiment of a computing system 2102, it is recognizedthat the functionality provided for in the components and modules ofcomputer system 2102 may be combined into fewer components and modules,or further separated into additional components and modules.

The computer system 2102 can comprise a dealer match engine module 2114that carries out the functions, methods, acts, and/or processesdescribed herein. The dealer match engine module 2114 is executed on thecomputer system 2102 by a central processing unit 2106 discussed furtherbelow.

In general, the word “module,” as used herein, refers to logic embodiedin hardware or firmware or to a collection of software instructions,having entry and exit points. Modules are written in a program language,such as JAVA, C or C++, PYPHON or the like. Software modules may becompiled or linked into an executable program, installed in a dynamiclink library, or may be written in an interpreted language such asBASIC, PERL, LUA, or Python. Software modules may be called from othermodules or from themselves, and/or may be invoked in response todetected events or interruptions. Modules implemented in hardwareinclude connected logic units such as gates and flip-flops, and/or mayinclude programmable units, such as programmable gate arrays orprocessors.

Generally, the modules described herein refer to logical modules thatmay be combined with other modules or divided into sub-modules despitetheir physical organization or storage. The modules are executed by oneor more computing systems and may be stored on or within any suitablecomputer readable medium or implemented in-whole or in-part withinspecial designed hardware or firmware. Not all calculations, analysis,and/or optimization require the use of computer systems, though any ofthe above-described methods, calculations, processes, or analyses may befacilitated through the use of computers. Further, in some embodiments,process blocks described herein may be altered, rearranged, combined,and/or omitted.

The computer system 2102 includes one or more processing units (CPU)2106, which may comprise a microprocessor. The computer system 2102further includes a physical memory 2110, such as random access memory(RAM) for temporary storage of information, a read only memory (ROM) forpermanent storage of information, and a mass storage device 2104, suchas a backing store, hard drive, rotating magnetic disks, solid statedisks (SSD), flash memory, phase-change memory (PCM), 3D XPoint memory,diskette, or optical media storage device. Alternatively, the massstorage device may be implemented in an array of servers. Typically, thecomponents of the computer system 2102 are connected to the computerusing a standards-based bus system. The bus system can be implementedusing various protocols, such as Peripheral Component Interconnect(PCI), Micro Channel, SCSI, Industrial Standard Architecture (ISA) andExtended ISA (EISA) architectures.

The computer system 2102 includes one or more input/output (I/O) devicesand interfaces 2112, such as a keyboard, mouse, touch pad, and printer.The I/O devices and interfaces 2112 can include one or more displaydevices, such as a monitor, that allows the visual presentation of datato a user. More particularly, a display device provides for thepresentation of GUIs as application software data, and multi-mediapresentations, for example. The I/O devices and interfaces 2112 can alsoprovide a communications interface to various external devices. Thecomputer system 2102 may comprise one or more multi-media devices 2108,such as speakers, video cards, graphics accelerators, and microphones,for example.

The computer system 2102 may run on a variety of computing devices, suchas a server, a Windows server, a Structure Query Language server, a UnixServer, a personal computer, a laptop computer, and so forth. In otherembodiments, the computer system 2102 may run on a cluster computersystem, a mainframe computer system and/or other computing systemsuitable for controlling and/or communicating with large databases,performing high volume transaction processing, and generating reportsfrom large databases. The computing system 2102 is generally controlledand coordinated by an operating system software, such as z/OS, Windows,Linux, UNIX, BSD, SunOS, Solaris, MacOS, or other compatible operatingsystems, including proprietary operating systems. Operating systemscontrol and schedule computer processes for execution, perform memorymanagement, provide file system, networking, and I/O services, andprovide a user interface, such as a graphical user interface (GUI),among other things.

The computer system 2102 illustrated in FIG. 21 is coupled to a network2118, such as a LAN, WAN, or the Internet via a communication link 2116(wired, wireless, or a combination thereof). Network 2118 communicateswith various computing devices and/or other electronic devices. Network2118 is communicating with one or more computing systems 2120 and one ormore data sources 2122. The dealer match engine module 2114 may accessor may be accessed by computing systems 2120 and/or data sources 2122through a web-enabled user access point. Connections may be a directphysical connection, a virtual connection, and other connection type.The web-enabled user access point may comprise a browser module thatuses text, graphics, audio, video, and other media to present data andto allow interaction with data via the network 2118.

Access to the dealer match engine module 2114 of the computer system2102 by computing systems 2120 and/or by data sources 2122 may bethrough a web-enabled user access point such as the computing systems'2120 or data source's 2122 personal computer, cellular phone,smartphone, laptop, tablet computer, e-reader device, audio player, oranother device capable of connecting to the network 2118. Such a devicemay have a browser module that is implemented as a module that usestext, graphics, audio, video, and other media to present data and toallow interaction with data via the network 2118.

The output module may be implemented as a combination of an all-pointsaddressable display such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a plasma display, or other types and/or combinations ofdisplays. The output module may be implemented to communicate with inputdevices 2112 and they also include software with the appropriateinterfaces which allow a user to access data through the use of stylizedscreen elements, such as menus, windows, dialogue boxes, tool bars, andcontrols (for example, radio buttons, check boxes, sliding scales, andso forth). Furthermore, the output module may communicate with a set ofinput and output devices to receive signals from the user.

The input device(s) may comprise a keyboard, roller ball, pen andstylus, mouse, trackball, voice recognition system, or pre-designatedswitches or buttons. The output device(s) may comprise a speaker, adisplay screen, a printer, or a voice synthesizer. In addition, a touchscreen may act as a hybrid input/output device. In another embodiment, auser may interact with the system more directly such as through a systemterminal connected to the score generator without communications overthe Internet, a WAN, or LAN, or similar network.

In some embodiments, the system 2102 may comprise a physical or logicalconnection established between a remote microprocessor and a mainframehost computer for the express purpose of uploading, downloading, orviewing interactive data and databases on-line in real time. The remotemicroprocessor may be operated by an entity operating the computersystem 2102, including the client server systems or the main serversystem, an/or may be operated by one or more of the data sources 2122and/or one or more of the computing systems 2120. In some embodiments,terminal emulation software may be used on the microprocessor forparticipating in the micro-mainframe link.

In some embodiments, computing systems 2120 who are internal to anentity operating the computer system 2102 may access the dealer matchengine module 2114 internally as an application or process run by theCPU 2106.

In some embodiments, one or more features of the systems, methods, anddevices described herein can utilize a URL and/or cookies, for examplefor storing and/or transmitting data or user information. A UniformResource Locator (URL) can include a web address and/or a reference to aweb resource that is stored on a database and/or a server. The URL canspecify the location of the resource on a computer and/or a computernetwork. The URL can include a mechanism to retrieve the networkresource. The source of the network resource can receive a URL, identifythe location of the web resource, and transmit the web resource back tothe requestor. A URL can be converted to an IP address, and a DomainName System (DNS) can look up the URL and its corresponding IP address.URLs can be references to web pages, file transfers, emails, databaseaccesses, and other applications. The URLs can include a sequence ofcharacters that identify a path, domain name, a file extension, a hostname, a query, a fragment, scheme, a protocol identifier, a port number,a username, a password, a flag, an object, a resource name and/or thelike. The systems disclosed herein can generate, receive, transmit,apply, parse, serialize, render, and/or perform an action on a URL.

A cookie, also referred to as an HTTP cookie, a web cookie, an internetcookie, and a browser cookie, can include data sent from a websiteand/or stored on a user's computer. This data can be stored by a user'sweb browser while the user is browsing. The cookies can include usefulinformation for websites to remember prior browsing information, such asa shopping cart on an online store, clicking of buttons, logininformation, and/or records of web pages or network resources visited inthe past. Cookies can also include information that the user enters,such as names, addresses, passwords, credit card information, etc.Cookies can also perform computer functions. For example, authenticationcookies can be used by applications (for example, a web browser) toidentify whether the user is already logged in (for example, to a website). The cookie data can be encrypted to provide security for theconsumer. Tracking cookies can be used to compile historical browsinghistories of individuals. Systems disclosed herein can generate and usecookies to access data of an individual. Systems can also generate anduse JSON web tokens to store authenticity information, HTTPauthentication as authentication protocols, IP addresses to tracksession or identity information, URLs, and the like.

The computing system 2102 may include one or more internal and/orexternal data sources (for example, data sources 2122). In someembodiments, one or more of the data repositories and the data sourcesdescribed above may be implemented using a relational database, such asDB2, Sybase, Oracle, CodeBase, and Microsoft® SQL Server as well asother types of databases such as a flat-file database, an entityrelationship database, and object-oriented database, and/or arecord-based database.

The computer system 2102 may also access one or more databases 2122. Thedatabases 2122 may be stored in a database or data repository. Thecomputer system 2102 may access the one or more databases 2122 through anetwork 2118 or may directly access the database or data repositorythrough I/O devices and interfaces 2112. The data repository storing theone or more databases 2122 may reside within the computer system 2102.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram depicting another embodiment of a computerhardware system configured to run software for implementing one or moreembodiments of the used vehicle marketing and selling systems, methods,and devices disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, the systems, processes, and methods describedherein are implemented using a computing system, such as the oneillustrated in FIG. 22. The example computer system 2202 is incommunication with one or more computing systems 2220 and/or one or moredata sources 2222 via one or more networks 2218. While FIG. 22illustrates an embodiment of a computing system 2202, it is recognizedthat the functionality provided for in the components and modules ofcomputer system 2202 may be combined into fewer components and modules,or further separated into additional components and modules.

The computer system 2202 can comprise a vehicle listing price enginemodule 2214 that carries out the functions, methods, acts, and/orprocesses described herein. The vehicle listing price engine module 2214is executed on the computer system 2202 by a central processing unit2206 discussed further below.

In general, the word “module,” as used herein, refers to logic embodiedin hardware or firmware or to a collection of software instructions,having entry and exit points. Modules are written in a program language,such as JAVA, C or C++, PYPHON or the like. Software modules may becompiled or linked into an executable program, installed in a dynamiclink library, or may be written in an interpreted language such asBASIC, PERL, LUA, or Python. Software modules may be called from othermodules or from themselves, and/or may be invoked in response todetected events or interruptions. Modules implemented in hardwareinclude connected logic units such as gates and flip-flops, and/or mayinclude programmable units, such as programmable gate arrays orprocessors.

Generally, the modules described herein refer to logical modules thatmay be combined with other modules or divided into sub-modules despitetheir physical organization or storage. The modules are executed by oneor more computing systems and may be stored on or within any suitablecomputer readable medium or implemented in-whole or in-part withinspecial designed hardware or firmware. Not all calculations, analysis,and/or optimization require the use of computer systems, though any ofthe above-described methods, calculations, processes, or analyses may befacilitated through the use of computers. Further, in some embodiments,process blocks described herein may be altered, rearranged, combined,and/or omitted.

The computer system 2202 includes one or more processing units (CPU)2206, which may comprise a microprocessor. The computer system 2202further includes a physical memory 2210, such as random access memory(RAM) for temporary storage of information, a read only memory (ROM) forpermanent storage of information, and a mass storage device 2204, suchas a backing store, hard drive, rotating magnetic disks, solid statedisks (SSD), flash memory, phase-change memory (PCM), 3D XPoint memory,diskette, or optical media storage device. Alternatively, the massstorage device may be implemented in an array of servers. Typically, thecomponents of the computer system 2202 are connected to the computerusing a standards-based bus system. The bus system can be implementedusing various protocols, such as Peripheral Component Interconnect(PCI), Micro Channel, SCSI, Industrial Standard Architecture (ISA) andExtended ISA (EISA) architectures.

The computer system 2202 includes one or more input/output (I/O) devicesand interfaces 2212, such as a keyboard, mouse, touch pad, and printer.The I/O devices and interfaces 2212 can include one or more displaydevices, such as a monitor, that allows the visual presentation of datato a user. More particularly, a display device provides for thepresentation of GUIs as application software data, and multi-mediapresentations, for example. The I/O devices and interfaces 2212 can alsoprovide a communications interface to various external devices. Thecomputer system 2202 may comprise one or more multi-media devices 2208,such as speakers, video cards, graphics accelerators, and microphones,for example.

The computer system 2202 may run on a variety of computing devices, suchas a server, a Windows server, a Structure Query Language server, a UnixServer, a personal computer, a laptop computer, and so forth. In otherembodiments, the computer system 2202 may run on a cluster computersystem, a mainframe computer system and/or other computing systemsuitable for controlling and/or communicating with large databases,performing high volume transaction processing, and generating reportsfrom large databases. The computing system 2202 is generally controlledand coordinated by an operating system software, such as z/OS, Windows,Linux, UNIX, BSD, SunOS, Solaris, MacOS, or other compatible operatingsystems, including proprietary operating systems. Operating systemscontrol and schedule computer processes for execution, perform memorymanagement, provide file system, networking, and I/O services, andprovide a user interface, such as a graphical user interface (GUI),among other things.

The computer system 2202 illustrated in FIG. 22 is coupled to a network2218, such as a LAN, WAN, or the Internet via a communication link 2216(wired, wireless, or a combination thereof). Network 2218 communicateswith various computing devices and/or other electronic devices. Network2218 is communicating with one or more computing systems 2220 and one ormore data sources 2222. The vehicle listing price engine module 2214 mayaccess or may be accessed by computing systems 2220 and/or data sources2222 through a web-enabled user access point. Connections may be adirect physical connection, a virtual connection, and other connectiontype. The web-enabled user access point may comprise a browser modulethat uses text, graphics, audio, video, and other media to present dataand to allow interaction with data via the network 2218.

Access to the vehicle listing price engine module 2214 of the computersystem 2202 by computing systems 2220 and/or by data sources 2222 may bethrough a web-enabled user access point such as the computing systems'2220 or data source's 2222 personal computer, cellular phone,smartphone, laptop, tablet computer, e-reader device, audio player, oranother device capable of connecting to the network 2218. Such a devicemay have a browser module that is implemented as a module that usestext, graphics, audio, video, and other media to present data and toallow interaction with data via the network 2218.

The output module may be implemented as a combination of an all-pointsaddressable display such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a plasma display, or other types and/or combinations ofdisplays. The output module may be implemented to communicate with inputdevices 2212 and they also include software with the appropriateinterfaces which allow a user to access data through the use of stylizedscreen elements, such as menus, windows, dialogue boxes, tool bars, andcontrols (for example, radio buttons, check boxes, sliding scales, andso forth). Furthermore, the output module may communicate with a set ofinput and output devices to receive signals from the user.

The input device(s) may comprise a keyboard, roller ball, pen andstylus, mouse, trackball, voice recognition system, or pre-designatedswitches or buttons. The output device(s) may comprise a speaker, adisplay screen, a printer, or a voice synthesizer. In addition, a touchscreen may act as a hybrid input/output device. In another embodiment, auser may interact with the system more directly such as through a systemterminal connected to the score generator without communications overthe Internet, a WAN, or LAN, or similar network.

In some embodiments, the system 2202 may comprise a physical or logicalconnection established between a remote microprocessor and a mainframehost computer for the express purpose of uploading, downloading, orviewing interactive data and databases on-line in real time. The remotemicroprocessor may be operated by an entity operating the computersystem 2202, including the client server systems or the main serversystem, an/or may be operated by one or more of the data sources 2222and/or one or more of the computing systems 2220. In some embodiments,terminal emulation software may be used on the microprocessor forparticipating in the micro-mainframe link.

In some embodiments, computing systems 2220 who are internal to anentity operating the computer system 2202 may access the vehicle listingprice engine module 2214 internally as an application or process run bythe CPU 2206.

In some embodiments, one or more features of the systems, methods, anddevices described herein can utilize a URL and/or cookies, for examplefor storing and/or transmitting data or user information. A UniformResource Locator (URL) can include a web address and/or a reference to aweb resource that is stored on a database and/or a server. The URL canspecify the location of the resource on a computer and/or a computernetwork. The URL can include a mechanism to retrieve the networkresource. The source of the network resource can receive a URL, identifythe location of the web resource, and transmit the web resource back tothe requestor. A URL can be converted to an IP address, and a DomainName System (DNS) can look up the URL and its corresponding IP address.URLs can be references to web pages, file transfers, emails, databaseaccesses, and other applications. The URLs can include a sequence ofcharacters that identify a path, domain name, a file extension, a hostname, a query, a fragment, scheme, a protocol identifier, a port number,a username, a password, a flag, an object, a resource name and/or thelike. The systems disclosed herein can generate, receive, transmit,apply, parse, serialize, render, and/or perform an action on a URL.

A cookie, also referred to as an HTTP cookie, a web cookie, an internetcookie, and a browser cookie, can include data sent from a websiteand/or stored on a user's computer. This data can be stored by a user'sweb browser while the user is browsing. The cookies can include usefulinformation for websites to remember prior browsing information, such asa shopping cart on an online store, clicking of buttons, logininformation, and/or records of web pages or network resources visited inthe past. Cookies can also include information that the user enters,such as names, addresses, passwords, credit card information, etc.Cookies can also perform computer functions. For example, authenticationcookies can be used by applications (for example, a web browser) toidentify whether the user is already logged in (for example, to a website). The cookie data can be encrypted to provide security for theconsumer. Tracking cookies can be used to compile historical browsinghistories of individuals. Systems disclosed herein can generate and usecookies to access data of an individual. Systems can also generate anduse JSON web tokens to store authenticity information, HTTPauthentication as authentication protocols, IP addresses to tracksession or identity information, URLs, and the like.

The computing system 2202 may include one or more internal and/orexternal data sources (for example, data sources 2222). In someembodiments, one or more of the data repositories and the data sourcesdescribed above may be implemented using a relational database, such asDB2, Sybase, Oracle, CodeBase, and Microsoft® SQL Server as well asother types of databases such as a flat-file database, an entityrelationship database, and object-oriented database, and/or arecord-based database.

Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certainembodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in theart that the invention extends beyond the specifically disclosedembodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of theinvention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. Inaddition, while several variations of the embodiments of the inventionhave been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which arewithin the scope of this invention, will be readily apparent to those ofskill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplatedthat various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific featuresand aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within thescope of the invention. It should be understood that various featuresand aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with, orsubstituted for, one another in order to form varying modes of theembodiments of the disclosed invention. Any methods disclosed hereinneed not be performed in the order recited. Thus, it is intended thatthe scope of the invention herein disclosed should not be limited by theparticular embodiments described above.

Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or“may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understoodwithin the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certainembodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certainfeatures, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is notgenerally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are inany way required for one or more embodiments or that one or moreembodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without userinput or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps areincluded or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. Theheadings used herein are for the convenience of the reader only and arenot meant to limit the scope of the inventions or claims.

Further, while the methods and devices described herein may besusceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specificexamples thereof have been shown in the drawings and are hereindescribed in detail. It should be understood, however, that theinvention is not to be limited to the particular forms or methodsdisclosed, but, to the contrary, the invention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the various implementations described and the appendedclaims. Further, the disclosure herein of any particular feature,aspect, method, property, characteristic, quality, attribute, element,or the like in connection with an implementation or embodiment can beused in all other implementations or embodiments set forth herein. Anymethods disclosed herein need not be performed in the order recited. Themethods disclosed herein may include certain actions taken by apractitioner; however, the methods can also include any third-partyinstruction of those actions, either expressly or by implication. Theranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all overlap, sub-ranges,and combinations thereof. Language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greaterthan,” “less than,” “between,” and the like includes the number recited.Numbers preceded by a term such as “about” or “approximately” includethe recited numbers and should be interpreted based on the circumstances(e.g., as accurate as reasonably possible under the circumstances, forexample ±5%, ±10%, ±15%, etc.). For example, “about 3.5 mm” includes“3.5 mm.” Phrases preceded by a term such as “substantially” include therecited phrase and should be interpreted based on the circumstances(e.g., as much as reasonably possible under the circumstances). Forexample, “substantially constant” includes “constant.” Unless statedotherwise, all measurements are at standard conditions includingtemperature and pressure.

As used herein, a phrase referring to “at least one of” a list of itemsrefers to any combination of those items, including single members. Asan example, “at least one of: A, B, or C” is intended to cover: A, B, C,A and B, A and C, B and C, and A, B, and C. Conjunctive language such asthe phrase “at least one of X, Y and Z,” unless specifically statedotherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in generalto convey that an item, term, etc. may be at least one of X, Y or Z.Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply thatcertain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, and atleast one of Z to each be present.

1. (canceled)
 2. A system for facilitating a sale of a used vehicle to aprospective purchaser, the system comprising: a dynamic user interfaceconfigured to display updated market and transaction information; one ormore computer readable storage devices configured to store a pluralityof computer executable instructions; and one or more hardware computerprocessors in communication with the one or more computer readablestorage devices and configured to execute the plurality of computerexecutable instructions in order to cause the system to: receive, fromthe prospective purchaser, search parameters for a target vehicle;access, by performing a search engine query across one or morethird-party consignor vehicle inventory databases based on the receivedsearch parameters, a plurality of used vehicle data entries; identify,using the search parameters inputted by the prospective purchaser, amongthe plurality of used vehicle data entries one or more equivalent usedvehicles corresponding to the target vehicle; determine dynamically alisting price for each of the one or more equivalent used vehicles;assign, using one or more used vehicle ranking techniques, a relativeranking of each of the one or more equivalent used vehicles; generate,based on the relative ranking, a first subset of the one or moreequivalent used vehicles; display, to the prospective purchaser throughthe dynamic user interface, the first subset of the one or moreequivalent used vehicles; receive, from the prospective purchaserthrough a feedback mechanism, a purchaser assessment of one or more ofthe equivalent used vehicles from the first subset; generate, based onthe relative ranking and the purchaser assessment of each of theequivalent used vehicles from the first subset, a second subset of theone or more equivalent used vehicles; display, to the prospectivepurchaser through the dynamic user interface, the second subset of theone or more equivalent used vehicles; receive, from the prospectivepurchaser, a manifestation of intent to purchase a designated usedvehicle from the second subset; prompt the prospective purchaser,through the dynamic user interface, to select transaction terms from aplurality of available purchase selections generated by third-partyservices; identify, based on the determined listing price and theselected transaction terms, one or more compatible dealers, whereinidentifying one or more compatible dealers comprises generating a dealermatch score for each of a plurality of dealers, wherein the dealer matchscore comprises a measure of dealer compatibility with the selectedtransaction, wherein the dealer match score is calculated by processingthe determined listing price and the selected transaction terms andperforming a comparative analysis between the determined listing priceand the selected transaction terms and a desired transaction criteriafor each of the plurality of dealers; prompt the user to select a dealerfrom the one or more compatible dealers; and schedule delivery of thedesignated used vehicle to the selected dealer.
 3. The system of claim2, wherein displaying the first subset or the second subset through thedynamic user interface comprises: presenting each of the one or moresimilar used vehicles alongside the corresponding determined listingprice; obtaining, from one or more used vehicle marketplace databases,one or more alternative used car listings for each of the one or moresimilar used vehicles from the first subset or the second subset;presenting, adjacent to the one or more similar used vehicles and thecorresponding determined listing price, the one or more alternative usedcar listings.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the used vehicle is acar.
 5. The system of claim 2, wherein the used vehicle is one of thefollowing: car, boat, truck, aircraft, motorcycle, bicycle, bus, camper,personal water craft, limousine, locomotive, moped, scooter, rickshaw,sleigh, tank, tractor, and van.
 6. The system of claim 2, wherein thesearch parameters comprise one or more of: vehicle make, vehicle model,exterior color, interior color, price, body type, mileage, location,age, date of availability, vehicle history, VIN, vehicle type, trimlevel, transmission type, engine type, fuel type, vehicle condition, anduser rating.
 7. The system of claim 2, wherein the vehicle rankingtechniques comprise at least: obtaining, from the plurality of usedvehicle data entries, a consignor price for each of the one or moresimilar used vehicles; obtaining, from a plurality of used car pricingdatabases, an estimated market price for each of the one or more similarused vehicles; generating, based on a comparison of the consignor pricewith the estimated market price, a value rating for each of the one ormore similar used vehicles.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein thevehicle ranking techniques further comprise: calculating an estimatedtransport cost for each of the one or more similar used vehicles basedon a comparison of a current location of each of the one or more similarused vehicles and a user location; and adding the estimated transportcost to the consignor price.
 9. The system of claim 2, wherein thefeedback mechanism comprises a binary decision tool, the binary decisiontool displayed to the prospective purchaser for activation.
 10. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein the purchaser assessment comprises a positivesignal or a negative signal, triggered by activation of the binarydecision tool.
 11. The system of claim 2, wherein the plurality ofavailable purchase selections comprise supplementary features that canbe added to the designated used vehicle.
 12. The system of claim 11,wherein the supplementary features comprise one or more of thefollowing: financing, extended service plans, extended warranties,tires, safety features, headlights, windshield wipers, headlightwashers, headlight wipers, heated seats, heated side mirrors, heatedsteering wheel, remote start, windshield wiper deicers, winter tires,power seats, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking,backup cameras, rear cross-traffic alerts, blind-spot monitoring, AppleCarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, 360-degree surround-viewcamera systems, heads-up displays, USB ports, voice control systems,dual-zone automatic climate control, automatic high beams, spare tires,keyless entry, gesture/character recognition, DVD players, built-innavigation, Wi-Fi system, lane-keeping assistance system, hydrophobicwindows, built-in vacuums, zero-gravity seats, massage seats, trafficlight information systems, push button shifting, sunroof, night visionand radar detection systems, automatic parking systems, crash detectionsensors, autopilot features, autonomous vehicle systems, adjustableseats, HVAC, cruise control, four-wheel drive, tow hitches, automatictransmission, leather seats, and other computer applications or carimprovements.
 13. The system of claim 2, wherein connecting thedesignated used vehicle transaction with one or more dealers comprisesdynamically determining whether the selected transaction terms arecompatible with dealer-selected transaction parameters.
 14. The systemof claim 2, wherein the dynamic user interface is further configured todynamically display a first exchange listing for a first used vehicle,the first exchange listing being displayed in one of a plurality oflocations in a first purchase selection region.
 15. The system of claim14, wherein the dynamic user interface is further configured todynamically display one or more first alternative listings for the firstused vehicle, the one or more first alternative listings being displayedin another one of the plurality of locations in the first purchaseselection region.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the dynamic userinterface is further configured to display a feedback mechanismconfigured to allow a user to indicate positive or negative feedback onthe quality of the first exchange listing.
 17. The system of claim 16,wherein the dynamic user interface is further configured to, in responseto an indication of negative feedback, remove from the display the firstexchange listing and the one or more first alternative listings anddynamically display a second exchange listing for a second vehicle andone or more second alternative listings for the second vehicle, thesecond exchange listing being displayed in one of a plurality oflocations in a second purchase selection region and the one or moresecond alternative listings being displayed in another one of theplurality of locations in the second purchase selection region.
 18. Thesystem of claim 17, wherein the dynamic user interface is furtherconfigured to, in response to an indication of positive feedback,generate one or more additional exchange listings and alternativelistings with similar listing characteristics to the first exchangelisting.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the one or more firstalternative listings and one or more second alternative listings areobtained from one or more third-party used vehicle marketplacedatabases.
 20. The system of claim 14, wherein the dynamic userinterface is further configured to dynamically display a consumerexpertise signal configured to illustrate a user's level of knowledgebased on the number of user activations of the feedback mechanism. 21.The system of claim 20, wherein the consumer expertise signal is updatedupon each activation of the feedback mechanism.